Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-07-09
RHHARkApLr EscAPs pRor DnArH.-We

RBHARKABLB ESCAPE PROM DBArH-We
have been furnished with the particulars Of an
exciting scene which transpired in the town
ship of Columbia, Lorain county, on Saturday,
the S0th ult., which should operate as q eau.
tion against descending into wells.
lad about fifteen. named Jarvis Noble, dc.
Scended into the we'll of his grand father, Vim.
L. Smith, TO recover bucket which had fallen,
and when part Of the way down he reached
the noxious gas, and instantly fell to the
bottom, where were four feet Of water. An
alarm was given by two lads who were watch
ing Jarvis, over the curb, drew the family from
the supper table On seeing the dying condi-
tion Of the boy, his uncle, W. A. Smith, en-
tered the well, being let down by the windlass.
and found Jarvis in an upright position lean
ing against the wall, with his head and shoul-
ders out Of the water, but in senseless con-
dition. The air Immediately affected Mr..
Smith 50 that he could render no aid, and
called 10 be drawn out which was done, be
not being able to stand when be reached the
top.
Calvin Smith, brother of VIM. A., In the
excitement of the moment, then went into the
well without any rope, but had got down but
a few feet, when inhaling the gas be fell to
the bottom. The father, Mr.. Wm. T. Smith,
then entered the well TO rescue his son and
grandson, being let down by a rope tied be-
meath his arms The curb was knocked away
to give the rope length enough to enable Mr..
). TO reach the two bodies, and the father sue
ceeded In getting an extra rope around his
son Calvin, but could not tie il before the gas
Overeame him, and the three seemed dying
together. Those sbove-for Mr. Thomas Pea
chey, William Nioois and other neighbors, had
ralied-cslled to the elder Mr.. Smith, but be
was speechless; and drawing up the rope
which held him, they raised the father and
the sen tOgether-the grasp Of the former upon
the rope passed around the latter was death
clutch-but before getting TO the mouth Of the
well, the rope slipped through the hands Of
the father, and Calvin fell heavily back into
the water, and the father was drawn out
scnseless, yet alive. Then William A. Smith,
having recovered from the effects Of his frst
descent, went down q second time, having q
rope fastened to his body, and was enabled TO
pass another around his brother Calvin.
At this time, Jarvis had been In the well an
half hour, and as the rope was passed around
Calvin, from some cause-probably the agita-
tion of the water partially lifted the noxious
gas from its surface-Jsrvis revived sufficient
iy TO make one struggle for life, and climbing
up Calvln's back, got hold Of the rope, and
the three were drawn upward. When half
way up, and about twelve feet from the
mouth, Mr.. Thomas Peachy was let down by
a rope, and succeeded in fastening another
rope round the lad Jarvis, and all were final
ly, one by one, drawn from the we'll. We are
glad to know that the four who suffered from
the gas are all recovering. We suppose the
agitation Of the water prevented total ex-
unctiOn of life. IL is q fact worthy Of note,
that the young man, Jarvis Noble, entered
the well about two weeks since and thorough
ly cleaned it. The extinguishment Of a light
cd candle, or torch, or any other fame, is a
sure indicator OF the presence Of carbonlc
acid gas.-Cleveland Herald.