The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-06-18
EXTRAORDINARY ESCAPE :

the following account: E
The children OF. Mr.. George Hickan. a
citizen of Scott county, ,lwere playing to-
gether in field, and near the mouth Of q
fathomless sink-hole. In their ganbols,
one Of them, boy about eight or ten
years of age, pushed his little brother,
about four years old, headlong over the
edge and down into the deep dark pit be-
low. 1t was some time after the child was
missed. before any certain information
could be drawn from the others as to what
had become of him; and it was only by
threats Of severe punishment, that finally
overcame their fear and extorted from the
boy who did the deed, confession Of what
had happened. An effort was made i'm
mediately to ascertain the situation ol the
little fellow, and afford him relief if he
was not beyond its power. Ropes were
tied together with stone attached TO one
end, and an attempt was made TO falhom
the depth beneath, but more than sixty
feet Of rope were employed in vain; no
bottom could be reached. "A lighted can
die was then let down, but its light gave
no hopeful indication, except that the pit
was free from choke damp or impure air,
as far down as the candle descended.
Night came on and all further efforts had
to be for the time abandoned. On the
next day further trials were made of the
depth Of the pit, but with no better success.
In despair the frantic parents were about
TO give up all hopes Of recovery or reliev-
ing their little innocent, and preparations
were beingmade to close up the mouth of
the pit, to prevent like occurrence in the
future. when it was suggested and agreed
upon, that another and final effort should
be made by letting some individual down
by ropes TO examine the nature Of the
abyss and ascertain if there was any en-
couragement for farther efforts 10 be found
below. brother Of the lost child under
took the fearful task. Cords we're fasten-
ed around his waist and limbs, and one to
his wrist, by which he might indicate to
those above his wishes either to descend
or to be drawn up. lie was swung off
and slowly lowered. until having gone TO
the depth Of about SO feet, he looked be-
low him, and there shone through the thick
darkness two gistenng eyes intently look
ing upward. In another moment he was
standing on shelf or angle in the shaft
with the child clasped to his bosom. He
fastened the little fellow securely to his
own body. and bidding him to take the
rope firmly in his hands, the signal was
given TO draw up. The child held con-
vulsvely to the rope and in lew minutes,
they rose within view Of the hundred an
xious spectators, who had assembled to
witness the result; and when the first
glimpse Of the little fellow alive caught
their eager gaze, screams and shouts OF
Joy from the excited multitude filled the
air, and tears Of sympathy started from
the eyes Of every behoder. After the
first paroxysms Of delight had subsidized,
the child was examined to see il it had
sustained any injury, and extraordinary
to tell, with the exception of little bruise
on the back of its head, it was perfectly
sound and unhurt. The only complaint
that it made was that it was hungry, be-
ing nearly 81 hours under the ground.
To inquiries made of it, it replied that it
saw light, and heard it thunder. From
the nature of the pit, it appeared that the
little fellow had fallen a perpendicular dis
tance of 49 feet, upon a slope or bend in
a shaft. and from that place had Sided
down 20 feet farther TO the spot where he
was found leaning against sort OF pillar
or wall, and gazing upward. How he es-
capped instant destruction is beyond all
account. ..... ...-..s ...-