Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-09-05
FATAL ACCIDENT!
Two MEN BURIED ALIVE IN WELL FIFTY
TWO FEET FROM THE SURFACE OF
THE EARTH

u,
which they were engaged in digging on the prop
erty of Mrs. Linn. in this place. At the time
the side of the we'll cayed in Jordan Steele was
in STOPPING position, and was covered to the
shoulders in q thick clay mud, whilst Harrison
was imbedded to the waist, thus rendering 1t inn
| possible for either of them to move.
The alarm was Immediately given and many
persons fastened to the place to render what as
sistance they could to the two unfortunate men,
| But it was soon discovered that any attempt 10
| succor them would be attended with loss of life.
| Nevertheless, Adolph Dorsey ,tcolored) the I'M
| dertaker of the WE'LL determined to descend and
extricate them if possible, but, alas the fears of
the spectators were only too well founded, for he
had scarcely reached the bottom when the side
caved in again, entirely covering him beneath a
of earth, thus heroically losing his own life
whilst striving to save that of others. After this
fatal result Of Dorsey's efforts, none could be
found to risk descent to the assistance of Har-
rison and Steele who werestill alive; until, at
| length, Curtis Grayson volunteered to go.down,
and, having fastened rope under Harrison 5
arms, he was drawn up, but it was very painful
| TO the poor fellow as he uttered many cries and
asked to be let alone, saying that he would
rather die than suffer the pain of being adra wn
out; but his cries were not needed and he. was
| slowly drawn up. just before reaching the top
the rope slipped from under his arms, and he
would have fallen back into the well, but fortu-
nately the rope fastened AROUND one of his wrists
and he was saved Grayson again descended to
assist Steele, but he refused to be drawn out, and
would not let Grayson fasten the rope around
him. Mr.. VIM. Smith then descended and re-
ported that he would have to be dug out, that he
was so deeply imbe dded it would be dangerous
to attempt to pull him out. Then Mr.. Karicofe
a regular Well-digger descended; he also said
that he must be dug out. Spades and shOvels
were then procured and Mr.. Karieofe proceeded
to dig around him, but he had scarcely COM
menced before he discovered signs that the side
was about to cave in again. He asked to be
drawn out quickly, and had just reached the top,
when sure enough, the side caved in again with
heavy rumbling sound. This last fall of earth
entirely covered Steele. and he must havs per.
ished in short time Up to that time he had
been talking and giving directions as to the dis
posal of his affairs. By this time night was APP
preaching and nothing more could be done to
recover the bodies of these two unfortunate men.
Lights could not be used in the we'll for they
were extinguished by the draft of air which
rushed in from what is supposed to be cavern
opened by the caving in of the side Of the well.
On the next day unceasing efforts were made
by the Chief of Police, Mr.. j. T. Parent, to
procure some one to undertake the job of Dig
| ging out the bodies but were for long time un-
successful. At length however. they succeeded
in obtaining two colored men to undertake the
dangerous task for seventy-fve dollars, which
was offered by the city council. They imme-
diately began work and towards evening sue
ceeded in recovering the body Of Dorsey, but
they were unable, that evening to find the body
of Steele On the next day. friday when they
descended into the we'll, they found that another
large mass of earth had fallen during the night
but after several hours work they succeeded in
finding the body of Steele On Friday evening
their remains were attended by a large concourse
Of citizens to their last resting place Adolphus
Dorsey, who lost his life in the effort to save
those of his employers, leaves wife and three
children, who are fit subjects for the sympathy
and charities of the people of Stanton.
STANTON, VA, Sept 1st, 1871.
A meeting was held in the African Methodist
e. church, to take into consideration the action
of the Council, and the community In general,
! IN rescuing the remains of the men who were
preamble and resolutions were offered by Rev.
| w. B. Derrick, which were received and adop-
ted by rising vote:
Whereas, Oar peaceful community has been
called upon to mourn the loss of two of the citi-
zeRs of color whilst in the performance of their
duty, in the capacity of common laborers the
stroke of Death was felt by the falling of en-
bankment of earth, buryng two of our fellow
townsmen beneath its awful pressure And
whereas all efforts made by the friends in rescu-
ing the unfortunates from their perilous condi-
ton, proved to accomplish nothing-the munic-
hlbitng the spirit of philanthropiss in offering
$75 for the recovery of the victims who were
beneath said embankment; and, whereas, the
white citizens in general seem to sympathize
with US in our bereavement
ResoLved, That we bow in humble submission
to the decree of an All-wise Being in thus re-
| moving from our midst two of our fellow towns
men by the stroke of Death.
ResoLUed, That we tender our sincere thanks
to the members of the City Council for the i'm
partial manner in which the sum of $75. was of
fered also the spirit that was manifested by all
the members that we're present for the recovery
of the remains of the victims; also to the Town
Sergeant for his untiring effort in securing de-
cent burial of the deceased, and TO the commu-
nifty of whites in general.
RESOLVED, That we as colored citizens are con-
strained to believe that from the spirit nantes
ted by the citizens in general there is an esteem
for US as people in this community, that can
not be surpassed in any portion of our beloved
State-an esteem of friendliness-aId that we
will return the same not in gold, but by an ad-
herence to the laws of the land, which will make
peaceful and respectable citizens.
ResoEued, That we tender our heartfelt SYM
| pathy to the bereaved relatives, together with
the assurance that we sorrow with them in this
sad dispensation of Providence.
City papers and Richmond Dispatch please
copy. efst fgs ..ssa cs1f s.e
In the account published last week Of the diff
iculty at New Providence Church. between Tay-
lor Swisher and Alexander Craig, which was Ia
ken from the Lexington Gazette, there were
some inaccuracies. The following are the facts
as elected at the examining trial, held before
Justices Walker ana Jones, as related TO us by
friend of Mr.. Craig: Craig and Swisher were
at the house of the lady on Saturday even
ing Craig asked permission to accompany her
to church on Sunday-stating at the same time
that he did not wish to interfere with any ar
rangements Mr.. Swisher had made, if any. She
replied that he (Craig) could accompany her
On Sunday all three started to church together,
and Craig, not wishing to have any difficulty,
allowed them to precede him. When services
at church were concluded SWisher went with
then told Swisher not TO go home with her as
Mr.. Craig was going. She and Mr.. @. then
started off together Swisher mounted and start
ed after, ana when he overlook them struck Mr..
q. with a cowbide. Mr. O. told him not to
strike or he would strike back. fter going
lr,;f