The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-07-15
AND Fatal ACCIDENT.
Death of Rev. C. c. Morse.

II is our painful duty, this week, to an
nounce the sudden death of Rev. G. C. Morse,
by an accident which occurred on his farm,
about two miles southeast Of Emporia. on
Wednesday last.
In company with some workmen he was en-
gagged in digging well on his place. The well
had reached depth OF forty feet, and strata
Of hard rock was being taken out by means Of
blasting. A blast with three pounds Of pow
der had been made. a few minutes after this
Mr.. Morse proposed to go into the well. Ty-
ing loop in the end Of the rope, he inserted
one foot, and catching the rope with his hands
above, he was lowered into the well. When
he had reached depth of some fifteen feet he
began to feel the poisonous effects of the at
mosphere, and called to the man ut the wind
less-a German-to pull him up. The German
did not understand him, and within very
brief time Mr.. Morse fell to the bottom, a dis
lance OF twenty-five feet. 1t was two hours
before he could be taken out, because no one
could be found who would venture into the
well. When taken out Il was fifteen minutes
before any signs Of life were noticeable. He
finally began 10 breathe, and medical aid was
summoned. Drs. Trueworthy, Hibben and
Lawrence did all in their power TO save him,
but It was at once evident to them that he was
beyond the reach OF medical aid. 1t appeared
that he had fallen ON the left side OF his head,
which seemed TO beyery much bruised. but,
singular to say, no fracture appeared. Sup
posing the brain to be injured, the Doctors
trephined the other side, which afforded some
relief. The thigh was found broken, and there
appeared many bruises on different parts of
the body. He died in the evening about I
O'Clock p. m.
Thus IA good and useful man is taken from
our midst. Mr.. Morse settled here in the sum-
mer Of 1857, and organized and took charge of
the First Congregational church. He re-
manned the faithful paste: OF this church for
more than ten years. He was always an earn
est and active Christian, never giving away
under the almost insurmountable discourage
ments and hardships OF the earlier years OF his
ministry. In educational matters he was al
ways foremost. His liberal education and ex-
tensive observation in school matters in his
former New England home, made his counsel
the more valuable In this new country, where
our school system had TO be worked up from the
beginning. He was at one time Superinten-
dent Of schools in this county, and it is no dis
arrangement TO others who have served in that
office 10 say the duties OF the responsible posi-
ton were never more faithfully or ably dis
charged than they were during his admins
tratlon. BY visiting, writing and talking, he
created an interest in the common schools, TO
which we are indebted, in large measure, for
much of our present advancement and pros
perity in educational matters IN this county.
Happily for Mr.. Morse, he so lived as to be
always ready for the summons of death. Yes
terday he was laid in the tomb, whittier he was
followed by bereaved family. and a large cir
Gle Of friends and aquaintances, who were en-
deared to him by his many excellent traits of
character, well rs by his goodness and purity
of heart.