The New York herald., 1875-12-24
A THRILLING STORY.
IMMERSED IN cIsTEEN UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES
OF INTENSE ExcITEMENT-oNE CHILD
DROWNED, AND NARROW ESCAPE OF FATHER,
MOTHwn AVN 0rx

IMMERSED IN cIsTEIN UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES
OF INTENSE ExcITEMENT-oNE CHILD
DROWNED, AND NARROW ESCAPE OF FATHER,
MOTHER AND son.
SPEScKRPoRT, Dec. %, 1878.
One OF tho saddest and most thrilling affairs ever
known in this section occurred Saturday last IN
South Greece few miles from this place. the full par
tcuars OF which have been received here The family
OF John Prcneerast por but industrious smith,
lives in that village. Mrs. Prencgrast was engaged in
washing on Saturday morning, drawing water from
cistern situated under OF their the rear of
the house. The opening 10 the cstern was len uncov
cred, Mrs Prcncgrast drawing the water up with pail
attached 20 rope Tho apartment she
working in Rdjoins that the cistcrn,
and around her playing her two children,
little boy about three years old and little girl
loss than two Busy at her work the mother did not
notice that the youngest had gone from the and
did miss her until she ie her tub go the els
tern 20 draw some water The little girl was
where 10 bo She called its name but received
answer. Tho cistcrn was her first thought, ana she
rushed to tho opening which is abou two feet square,
and dropping on her knees, peercd down through
II into the darkness To her hcrror she
saw her baby strugeing In the water. with
lot herself down tho opening to the watcr
below The water was not over two feet deep Grasp
Ing the child IN her arms she found that was not
dead but unconscious and needed instant attention to
keep II alive and restore IT, IL lmpossi BILE, how
Tor the mother 10 the cIstern
thinking that she might drag herself out uncncumbered
With the child she threw up through tho opening to
the floor above But all her attempts TO climb from
the cistern were unavang, and she called loudly for
aid. Presently her little boy toddlng TO the
opening, hearing her faint cries, no doubt
~.
He peered down into the csicrn, but hts mother
mado frantic appeals 10 him TO 60 away and 10 call
to her aid The little fellow, frightened at the
situation OF his mother cithcr jumped fell into the
cstcrn. The mother took him from tho water stran-
Cling and choking, and succeeded in restoring HIM. She
fhAn rinN r~l. he .ne
made three attempts before she succeeded BY super
human efforts she a last managed to grasp the edge Of
the opening with her hands and drew herself up
that she could her little GIRL but further.
The child was still gaspIng but died while her mother
was looking at her helpless to render aid When shc
put ncr te ooy Out OF the cistern she had made MIN
understand that he must go tell his father whose shop
was somc distance away
Tho little fellow did ho bid, but he could not
mako his father understand what he wanted, but the
blacksmith, knowing from the dripping clothes
and excited manner OF his child that something
was wrong, hastencd TO the house and found his
ttlc daughter lying dead, and his wife hanging TO
the edge OF the cstern, the intensity Of her grasp
pressing the blood out from beneath her finger nails
and forced In streams from her and mouth. As
she her husband enter she gave Of
agony and swooned awny falling back into the cstcrn
MT Prenegrast Immediately jumped In after her, and
while he Kept ncr from drowning, unable to get
her limp and hcess body from the cistern. To add
the terror OF his position he had TO
all his power OF persuasion and authority to prevent
his little boy from jumping IN with his parents, and
could not induce him TO leave the spot TO call aid he
standing In dangerous proximity TO the opening,
screaming in his childish terror II was several min
utcs before Mr Prencgras, by sprnklng hts wife with
and chatting her temples and wrists as best
no could, brought her back to consciousness,
and some timo before she was able to help
herself Finally, by his aid she drew herself out OF The
cstcrn, and her husband succeeded IN reaching the
room with little difficulty. Dr. Buell. sent for In
hope that the child might yet be restored but life had
critical condition. being almost crazed with grief and III
from tho excitement and exposure.