The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-03-02
Drowned by Inches.
A Nan Bur led in a HeA-Tae Wafer S1cw,y Rises
and DroWns Him.

An accident of horrible nature occurred
on the farm of Mr. Houston, near the village
of Wyton on the 18th ut., resulting in tia
death by drowning of an aged wcll-digger,
named William Robins, of this city. The
we'll ON the premises became foul and several
parties on tho premises were applied to to
cleanse it; but each one on examination, re-
fused, as, from the construction of the we'll,
the process did not appear safe. 1t was an
old-iashionod we'll, thirty feet deep, and walled
up with loose boudcrs Robins undertook
the job without fear as he had been o
well digger of some thirty years's experience,
and expressed fears for his safety. The
water was pumped out. and he descended
About midway was piece Of pump log run.
Mug across the we'll, 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 tho unfortunate man must
have been crushed to death Immediately.
But he was only spared to meet a more ter
rible death by slow drowning Part of the
debris formed partial arch over Aimz--tha
rest wedged him in tight below Those above
were almost paralyzed by the sight before
them and, for some time, thinking poor Rob-
ms beyond recovery, did nothing 10 extricate
him. At last his voice was hoard, as if it
were, afar off, feebly calling to those above to
clear away the stones and let him out This
treasured the men, and one and all set to work
with will in the best manner that suggested
itself; man went down. and by means of
tub, lowered and raised by windas, large
quantity of the stones and earth we're passed
up. As fast as they worked, however. tho
earth kept falling in. All this while the
voice Of Robins was heard at inorvals-now
imploring deliverance, in affecting terms, now
making incoherert CALCULATIONS, end again in
voking mercy.
The water is rising; it's now mp TO my
knees but work away, boys, ard you'll save
me Jet" came from away down in the boweq
Of the earth in faint touo, yet distinct
enough to be underatood.
Then the voice broke into sobs Of despair.
Each time it was heard, the men in tina
we'll and at the windlass put on fresh energy,
and worked until great beads of sweat rolled
off their brows; the crowd continually in
creased, until at last there was very large
excited assemblage on the spot.
cit rises very fast; o, let me out of this p
The thought that the man, besides the agq-
ny he most have endured from the pressure
upon his body, was slowly drowning, lent
fresh vigor to the work of leliverapce, but
the humation was extremely slow from tho
sandy nature of the SOIL which fell in almost
as rapidly as it was taken out Thus the work
went on for three hours, and at last the un-
fortunate man was reached But he was dead.
The water had gradually risen, and, unable
to move, SO firmly was he jammed in, he at
last saccumbed actually drowned by drops!
How trightful must have been his last ago
MES! Coroner Moore was communicated with
the view of holding an inquest, but upon
hearing all the circumstances he did not deem
it necessary to DO So