The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-29
The Extrication OF Girsud nc Lyons.
EXCITING SCENES AROUND THE PLACE OF Hn5 IN
ToMRMFNT.

The Extrication OF Giraad nc Lyons.
EXCITING SCENES AROUND THE PLACE OF HIS ~
TonBMENT
The following details from the Lyons journals q
9Th May relating TO the extrcation of Giraud ffoS
the well at Ecully, will be read with intercst:-OE
wednesday evening, about hafpast seven, thirty or
forty persons, amongst whom were Gen. Mellinet,
the Mayor and Cure Of Ecully, the mayor of the
First reimbursement of Lyons and others, were as
sembled the entrance OF the excavation leading 10
the well in which Giraud imprisoned, Captain
Robinet having announced that only a very thin
partition of earth separated the workmen from the
WELL and in very short time all that would be re-
quired was to widen the aperture and Hibernate the
captive. The workmen in the meantime continued
their operations, and at last the subterranean COM
muncation with the well effected, and in few
minutes more SO much earth was removed as that
Giraud was able to remove one of his legs. The
sappers formed q chain through the gallery, and
passed from hand to hand the stones and earth
as they were removed One of the stones, weigh
ing about eight or ten pounds, had lam
for nineteen days and nights on one OF
Girauds feet. II was quite warm when removed
proving that the contact Of the body had been sum,
GENT to mpart heat TO it, and that the circulation
had been constantly kept up in his lower extreml
ties. The stone had not chilled the limb; 1t was
the limb which impaired warmth TO the stone.
Whilst the sappers were thus removing with great
caution and care the mass Of rubbish from Girauds
body, other men were arranging at the further end
OF the excavation litter to receive the poor prisoner
when released, and to raise him to the surface OF
the earth AT last every preparation ntsS Ts r., COM a
nouncing that Giraud was disengaged. The odor
issuing at this time from the well dreadfully
overpowering that even the persons ut the other
end of the gallery could scarcely endure it, The
sappers, however, worked most earnestly, and
at last Giraud could move freely in his narrow pr-
son. The foremost sapper, q powerful man named
Brandon, then introduced his body into the well,
and oiming Giraud Of what he was about to do,
caught hold of him by the shoulders, and drew
him gently into the gallery, where he handed
him over to the other sappers who, taking him up
the legs bore him along TO the litter, where he was
laid down and covered warmly with blankets
Then on the signal being gven the litter was raised
by means Of windag to the surface OF the
earth, and carried away rapidly to neighboring
house, where he was placed in bed and at once
attended by two medical men. Scarcely word
was spoken during the Whole time that these M.
cidents were taking place-every person being under
the influence Of the deepest emotion. A consider
able crowd was assembled in the neighborhood,
and on its being announced that the poor prisoner
had at last arrived in safety at the house, loud
cheers and cries of Joy burst out. The greatest
anxiety was then expressed to learn in what state
Giraud's body might be found by the examination
of the medical men, and whether any subsequent
danger was to be apprebended. Some time elapsed
before this could be known, and meanwhile the
rumor spread about that one OF the sapPers nad
tainted In the gallery. 1t was In fact, Brandon VINO,
after extricating Giraud, had been so overcome
with the mephitic yapor that he lost his senses,
and was for nearly halt an hour insensiblc. He
afterwards recovered completely, and experienced
no subsequent III effects from his temporary Illness.
When the opinion of the physicians as TO Girauds
state became known, it was understood that whilst
they had found the upper part OF the body but little
injured, the lower extlemities were covered with
bruises and sores Of various kinds. These were
well washed and dressed, and all the lower part
of the body having been wrapped up in lint and
wadding, Giraud was left to his rest. Nothing
could exceed his composure and lucidity OF mind
during all the trying scenes Of the evening. He
thanked his liberators with sincerity which could
not be mistaken the names Of Capt. Robinet, and
the sappers Bernard and Brandon were pronounced
| by him in terms Of the wamest gratitude.
But unmstakeable rs was the emotion Of the per-
sons in the immediate neighbOIhood OF Ecully,
during the of the evening in which the libe
ration took place, the effect produced in Lyons was
perhaps of a more marked description. gendarme
i had been despatched the moment Giraud was IN
safety to inform the authorities OF Lyons OF the fact
and the very noise of horses feet on the pavement,
as he galloped through the streets, seemed to an
nounce that the poor man whose name had been in
every ones mouth Tor many days. had at last been
restored TO liberty. The moment the Project receiv-
ed the intelligence he transmitted to the commits
sares at the two theatres where Grauds safety was
| announced on authority to the spectators. The
rews of his safety then spread like wildtre through
the town. and every one was eager to listen TO any
details that had transpired. Between nine and ten
O'Clock, an omnibus passed along the quays Of vaise
bearing from Ecully the sappers ana miners who had
been concerned in the works the well. The men
whom tue vehicle carried could not contain their JOY
ut the successful termination OF their exertions and
the omnibus resounded with shouts and singing.
But teforc it had &C vanced far into the town, The
horses we're stopped by the people who overwnelm-
cd the soldiers with questions, shook them warmly
by the hand, and seemed to consider that great per-
soral service had been done TO themselves. The same
anxiety was expressed the next morning to lecs.u
how Giraud had passed the night, and rnetner any
danger was appfchended. The news brought was
perfectly satisfactory he had slept calm the whole
night, and awoke greatly refreshed. He declared
that he found himself strong and well, and towards
nine o'clock ate his breakfast with good appetite.
The medical men found the numerous wounds on
his legs presenting very satisfactory appearance,
and have given it az their opinion, that unless some
extraordinary incident should supervene his reco-
very will be complete. Giraud is a young man of
middle height; his features indicate intelligence and
resolution but nothing in his organization betokens
any unusual strength Of constitution. In the course
OF the morning the dead body of Jalla, the unfor-
tunate comradc Of Giraud, was taken out Of the
1 well in frghtfnl state of decomposition. On his
| head was the mark of violent confusion most
probably caused by the fall of stone, and which,
! II is now supposed, must have been the cause OF
| his death. How any human being could exist
when in close contact with dead body in such
state Of putreaction it is really difficult to ina
CINE.