Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-01-07

was stone arch under the buried mar
which prevented him from falling tc
the bottom of the well, and another
stone arch over his head that prevented
him from being crushed. great
crowd had gathered at the place, and il
became necessary TO put up rough
railing around the VOL to keep them
back. Fifty burning torches lent 4
ghostly appearance TO the scene, and
now and then the sound OF the mans
voice appealing for help was heard by
the excited crowd. Nobody dared to
90 down into the old well, as it was
feared ut each removalo Of basketful
of earth that the arch might cave in
At length two or three HI en- volunteered
to undertake the work, no matter what
the consequen ces. Only one at a
time descended into the well. Tons
upon tons of earth and rock were
raised, and by 3 o'clock on Friday
morning Browns voice could be dis
tinctly heard. He said that the sand
was fast filling in about him, that ii
was nearly up to the level Of his mouth,
and that if he was not out inside of
twenty minutes he would be sutlocated.
He had then been in his living tomb
about thirty-tive hours.
The workmen kept on. At last they
came down to the large stones that
formed the upper arch. They were
then able to converse easily with the
entombed man, who begged for WA ter.
A rubber hose was filled with water,
and one end was let down to him
Brown took three swallows, and then
the hose was pulled out. After about
two hours more work his head was got
free and above ground. Then he was
given brandy and beef tea. A hard
job was still before the workmen--
much harder, i'll fact, than they cx-
pected. After getting Browns body
uncovered it was found that one of his
feet was SO wedged in between the
stones composing the lower arch that
tsoemed impossible to get it out. Hours
were spent III futile attempts to free
the entrappcd foot, and it was suggest
ed that the only way to get the man
out and save his life was to get SUR
geon to amputatc the ankle. But by
constant work the limb was cxtricated,
and at ten minutes past Z on Friday
morning Brown was hoisted out and
landed safely on the ground.
He had no broken bones, but he was
very badly bruised. He was completely
exhausted, and tainted while being
taken into Mr.. Howell's house. He had
been buried in the well thirtv-nine
hours two nights and one day.
Yesterday Brown was at his own
home, = quarter of . mile from the
Shutdown railroad station. He was
attended by kind relations. lie said
that during the whole time of his inter
ment he had no hope of ever being
taken out alive. He said that when he
went down into the well he saw that
II part of the walling had fallen in,
leaving an opening about two feet
square. Concluding that ii was not
safe to work in the well until that was
filled III, he nevertheless decided to de-
sccnd to the bottom and see what was
needed to be done down there On MS
cending, one Of his feet happened to
touch the wall where it was damaged
and Immediately the whole thing
tumbled in The large stones wedged
tllu lOIllcu TWO arch eS, one tDDNe anu
one belo@ him. He heard the work
men as soon rs they began to dig on
top He shouted for about two hours,
then lost his voice, and had to keep 81
lent. Two or three times he was un-
conscious, but whether from exhaustion
or from natural desire for sleep he did
not know. Brown said he had no hope
of ever getting ont alive until he felt
some one take hold Of his hand. As
soon us possible u rope was fastened
about his waist, so that all danger of
his falling to the bottom Of the well was
obviated When his head was partly
free he dictated II message to his moth
err and another to his sweetheart; Brown
is still Frustrated, but is rapidly recover
ing,