The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-11-15
Buried Hive,
DISTRESSING ACCIDENT IN VIRGINIA

o'clock two cOlored mcn, Handy iiarri-
son and Jor,on Steele, were inibe0dcd
!, the bottom of q well, which they
engaged in digging on the property of
Mrs. Linn, in this place. At the time
the side of the well cavcd in Jordon
Steele was in STOPPING position, aud
Was covered to the shoulders in thlck
CLAW mud, while Harrison was i'nbed-
ded to the waist, thus rendering it in
nnssihle for either of them to move.
The alarm was Immediately given,
o,d many ncrsons FASTENED to the
Mace to render what assistance they
could to the two unfortunate men.
Rat it was soon discovered that any
attempt to snccor them would be at
tended with less of life. Nevertheless,
AdoIpll Dorsey, colored, the nnderta-
ker of the we'll, determined to descend
and cxtlicate them if possible; but
alas the fears of the spectators were
OILY too well founded, for he had
scarcely reached the bottom when the
side cavcd in again, entirely covering
him beneath a mass of earth, tins he
roically losing his own life while striv-
inc to save that of others. After this
fatal result of Dorsey's efforts, none
conld be found to risk Il descent to the
assistance of Harrison and Steele, who
were still alive; until at length, Curtis
Grayson volunteered to 60 down, and
having fastened rope under Harri-
sons 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 drawn
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 fall
len back again into the well, but for
tunatcly the rope fastened around one
of his wrists and he was saved. Gray
son again descended to assist Steele
but he refused to he drawn out. and
would not let Grayson fasten the rope
around him. Mr.. William Smith then
descended ard reported that he would
have to be dug out; that lie was so
deeply imbedded it would be danger
GUS to attempt to pull him out. Then
Mr.. Kalicofc, regular well-digger,
descended he also said that lie must
be dug out. Spades and shovels were
then procured, and Mr.. Krricofe pro-
ceeded to dig around him, but he had
scarcely commenced before he tliscov-
cred 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 ctved
in again, with a heavy, rumbiing
sound. This last fall of earth entirely
covered Steele, and he must have per-
ished in very short time. Up to that
time he had been talking and giving
direction as to the disposal of his af-
fairs. 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 extin-
guished by the draft of air which rush
ed in from what is supposed to be a
cavern opened by the caying in of the
side of the well.
On tile next day unceasing efforts
were made by the Chief of Police, Mr.
j. t. Parent, to procure some one to
undertake the job of digging 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 SIS, which was offered by the City
Council. They Immediately began
work, and toward evening succeeded
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
well, they found that another large
mast OF earth had fallen during the
night, but after several hours work
they succeeded in finding the body OF
Steele. On Friday evening their re-
mains were attended by large con-
course of citizens to their last resting
place. Ado'phus Dorsey, who lost his
life in the effort to save those of his
employees, leaves a wife aud three
children, who are fit subjects for the
sympathy and charities of the people
of Staunton.-[ Staunton SPECTATOR.
HANDSOME MEN.-An exchange says;
one of the greatest nuisauces at Il hotel
is a handsome young man. He is an
intolerable bore to all the ladies of good
sense in the house. If might be al
lowed n suggestion, | wonld advise
every father who is threatened with q
handsome man in the family, just to
take clothes FOUNDER and batter his
nose to q pumice. For some cause OF
other, nine out of ten of the handsome
men you meet are conceited jackdaws.
They cultivate their hair and ronplpy-