Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-02-22

A MAN DROWNED BY INCHEs-An
accident of a horrible nature occurred
on the farm of Mr.. Houston, near the
village of Wyton, on Saturday afternoon
last, resulting in the death by drowning
of an aged well-digger, named Robins,
of this city. The well on the premises
became foul and several parties were ap
piled to to cleanse it but each one, on
examination, refused, as, from the con-
struction of the well, the process did not
appear safe. 1t was an old-iashioned
well, so feet deep. and walled up with
loose boulders. Robins undertook the
joo without fear, as he lad been we'll
digger of some 80 years experience, and
expressed no fears for his safety. The
wafer was pumped out, and he descended.
About midway was piece of pump-log
running across the well. and blocking up
the way This he found it necessary to
remove. But no sooner had the tackle
been applied. and the wood started. than
the stones and earth caved in on all sides
burying him beneath them. The block
in some measure checked the descent, or
else the unfortunate man must have been
crushed to death Immediately. -
But he was only spared to meet a
more terrible death by Glow drowning
Part of the debris formed partial arch
over him-the rest wedged him in tight
below Those above were almost para.
lyzed by the sight before them and, for
some time thinking poor Robins beyond
all hope of recovery, did nothing to ex-
tricate him. At last his voice was heard
as afar off, feebly calling to those above
to clear away the stones and let him out.
This reassured the men, and one and all
set to work with will in the best man.
ner that suggested itself; man went
down, and by means of tub, lowered
and raised by windla.s. large guam
tity of the stones and earth passed up
As fast as they worked however, the
earth kept falling in. All this while the
voice of Robins was heard at intervals-
now imploring deliverance. in affecting
terms, now making incoherent tjacula-
tions. and again invoking mercy.
"The water is rising; its up to my
knees; but work away boys and you'll
save me yet; = came from away down in
the bowels of the earth in faint tone
but yet distinct enough 10 be understood
Then the voice broke into sobs of de-
spair. '..' ..'.
Each time it was heard the man in the
well and at the windlass put ou fresh
energy and worked till great beads of
sweat rolled off their brows; the crowd
continually increased, until at last there
was a very large excited asscmblage on
the spot ESQ =r.,s-stega z..5frf rs .
''ls rises very fast O let me out Of
this p ,....,-- - ... ......--.s .-.-. ...
The thought that the man, besides the
agony he must have endured from. the
pressure upon his body. was slowly
drowning, lent fresh vigor to the work of
deliverance, but the exhamation was ex-
tremely slow from the sandy nature of
the coil, which fell in almost as rapidly
as it was taken out. Thus the work
went on for three hours, and at last the
unfortunate man was reached. But he
was dead. The water had gradually
risen, and unable to move, 60 firmly was
he iammed in, he at last succummed-ac
tually drowned by drops How frightful
must have been his last agonies Coroner
Moore was communicated with, with the
view of holding an inquest, but upon
hearing all the circumstances he did not
deem it necessary do so.-London
{ (Canada) Free Press. II ..t aaaaF q
DIR. David Stanton, of Beaver county,
has many friends, who recommend him