The New York herald., 1875-09-26
THE WELL TRAGEDY.

THE FUNERAL OF LEsTEB SYKES YESTERDAY AT
WEST sPRINGFIELD-THE ADDRESS OF REV. Z.
N. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. FoA THE DIGGING
OF WELLS.
sPRISGFIELD, Mass, Sept 25, 1875
The deep and very general interest felt throughout
this community the melancholy fate of Lester Sykes
who buried by the caving in Of well at West
Springfield on Wednesday, and whose dead body was
only yesterday noon again attested this
afternoon by the large assembly present at
the funeral services held in the old White
Meeting House, near the burying ground and
the river. Rev. E. N. Pomeroy, the pastor
Of the church. and who was the first man to 60 down
into the well and talk with Mr. Sykes after the acci-
dent conducted the services, and his remarks we're
appropriate and timely.
ADDRESS OF MR. PoMERoY.
After referring the unusual shock produced the
community by the terrible of the unfortunate
mans DEATH he proceeded draw out these lessons
First the need Of something being done to prevent
such accidents in the future He q wish
here and to protest against any being al
lowed construct such mantrap that in which Mr.
Sykes lost his life No incompetent person should be
allowed to dig well beyond a certain depth Indeed
it is my conviction in view OF the accidents
OF this that not unfrequently
throughout the country, that the whole matter
of well digging should be regulated by law, that only
licensed persons should be permitted 10 do tins work.
and they only a certain definite prescribed manner
No man should be allowed put his own life in peril;
he certainly should not be permitted TO lead another
TO destruction Another lesson is how to proceed
another time in such emergency. Having wit
messed the affair from first TO last, and bearing
testimony to the patience energy and heroism of
those having the matter in charge, and, indeed of all
any future exigeDcy Of this kind
SUGGESTIONS THE FUTURE
First, that as soon as possible council Of few Of
those most competent 70 advise be called and some
person be selected aleader, and that his plan be
adopted and carried out
Second that such a force Of men and such supply
Of material and utensils be promptly furnished that
the work shall not be suspended a moment until the
object be accomplished. 1t has been said that the
work should not have stopped the first night This IS
true the proved that the OF things just
then was such that any other course seemed
impracticable. The men were exhausted; the
situation was exceedingly dangerous; but that
the thought 10 he dead not
excuse the effort should be made to extricate
q man who may he living as to who is known
TO be alive He should have the benefit Of the doubt
Greater effort should have been made 10 arouse the
community This at least the lockers on could DO
Again expedition is Of great moment II to fnd
myself IN so frghtful situation should urge those
who we're about me 70 use speedy, though more dan
than by Dches Another lesson is that no man
tell what is before him. On Wednesday
afternoon
cast my eve at the pile Of sand at the wells mouth
did not dream Of the tragedy that about 10 he
acted Then II rs mercifu Providence that hinders
from knowing future; for could prevent the
caamties OF life If could foresee them and existence
would be filed with apprehensions and sorrow TO no
purpose bat the day of death may be as beautiful
Nature sbuddered at any death agony that
Of the Reedemer man may advance 10 the spot
where his fate awaits him with elastic step and With
light heart There arc indeed Of real appa-
rent mispving but they are rare and almost always
such alarms false Another lesson Is that although
we do not know when il is there u time of death ap
pointed for us all That day is axed and "a neither
be passed nor anticipated
THE uNcERTaNTT or LIBE
On Wednesday afternoon, between the hours Of one
and two O'Clock, two men up Elm street ~ this
village and turned west, opposite this church one
Of them Lester Sykes He walketh with his
usual esctc step He did not 70 gaze
upon tho almost nequalled beauty OF the scene Prom
this point he bad seen II often and had idea but
that be should look upon many times more.
With little preliminary conversation, learn from
Of destination As they walked that quiet road
toward AmostOwn they little thought that few bours
later muttudes Of men and carriages would hurry
there, and oil on account Of one o. them IL would
seem as If such 0ccIdont could not have happened
To such man know Of no stranger thing than that
such man should consent 70 trust himself in sued
place know of no other than that II was to be
REyLEcTlNG THE sCaLfGHT
Before descending he took mirror and threw
the reflected sunlight into the we'll remarkng that he
and without suspicioS of what .as 40 bappeu be
went down the fatal ladder As he looked about
before commencing operations In that gloomy place. he
thought that " the earth should commence 10 fall
he would heed Che warning and escape The warning
came ana he started 10 II may be that u he
bad remained at tho bottom be could have been res
cued a. IL was he was caught upon the ladder and
pinned there, with one uputed He could not
help himself, ho could not be helped.
rIfE TALK WELL.
" was my fortune, a. you know, DO near az the
time Of the catastrophe, and 10 descend within few
feet OF where he fastened His tone. as | con-
versed WIN him were those OF person who fully
81 m hat
rom the hrst he had little hope Of being saved and
Lsst ~ HA @e@o@Re1ns Gaysl ERtNsq ASupd blHL u