Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-06-04
EXTRAORDINARY ESCAPE.

We find in the last Abingdon Vrginian the fol-
lowing account of one of the most remarkable es-
capes probably on record. 1t was almost miracu.
lous ::
The children OF Mr.. George Hickan, citizen
of Scott county, were playing together in field,
and near the mouth of a fathomless sink hole In
their gambols one Of them, boy about eight or ten
years Of age, pushed his little brother, about four
years old, headong over the edge and down into
the deep dark pit below. II was some time after
the child was missed, before any certain infOrma-
ton could be drawn frum the others as 10 what
had become of him and il was only by threats Of
severe punishment, that finally overcame their
fears and exorted from the boy who did the deed,
a confession of what had happened. An effort was
made Immediately to ascertain the situation Of the
little fellow and afford him reliefif he was not be-
yond its power. Ropes were tied together with
stone attached TO one end and an attempt was made
to faihom the depth beneath, but than six feet
OF rope were employed in vain no bottem could be
reached, lighted candle 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 descendeds Night came on
and all further efforts had TO be foF ale time aban
doned. On the next day further trials were made
vi tuO ucpii W tHc Nv uCttoi ouSSSoS'
In despair The frantic parents were about to give
up all hopes of recovery or relieving their little in
nocenr, and preparations were being made TO close
up the mouth Of the pit, to prevent like occur
renee in the future, when it was suggested and a.
greed 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 il
there was any encouragement for farther efforts TO
be found below. A brother OF the lost child under
took the fearful task. Cords were fastened around
his weis, 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. He was swung off
and slowly lowered, until having gone to the depth
Of abuut fifty feet, he looked below him, and there
shone through the thick darkness two glisiening
eyes intently looking 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 bid
ding him take the rope firmly in his hands, the
signal was given 10 draw up. The child hung
convulsively to the rope, and in few minutes they
arose within view of the hundred anxious speca
tors, 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 big
tears Of sympathy started from the eyes Of every
beholder. After the first paroxysm Of deligh. had
subsidized, the child was examined to see if it had
sustained any injury and extraordinary to tell, with
the exception ola little bruse on the back ofits
head, it was perfectly sound and unhurt. The on
ly complaint it made was that it was hungry, be-
ing nearly q hours under the ground. To inqui.
ries made oft, it replied that it saw light. and
heard it thunder Frum the nature of the pit, it
appeared that the little fellow had fallen perpen-
dcular distance Of 40 feet, upon slope or bend in
The shaft, and from tina. place had Sided down 20
feet farther 50 the spot where he was found. lean
ing against sort of pillar or wall, and gazing up
ward. How he escaped instant destruction is be-
yond all account.