The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-02-23
South River Items.
GRapOrted for the VIRGINIAN


| A Narroso Escape-Messrs Lambert & Bro.
have we'll 30 feet deep at their factory about
/. one mile from Waynesbore. Into this well,
Mr.. John II. Whitesell of Fishersvile, contract
ed to put pump and on Wednesday of last
week was engaged in the work when terrible
accident occurred which very nearly resulted
| in the death of Mr.. Whitesel and Mr.. Chas.
Lambert. Assisting Mr.. W in the work, was
his son Russell, Chas Lambert and Samuel
Mitchell. When everything was ready, the
lower stock (of white oak, inches in dame
ter 26t feet long and weighing some six hun
dred lbs) was raised by means of pulleys and
the end inserted into the mouth of the well.
When it had been lowered 10 feet, it was fas-
tened with chain TO pole that had been
placed across the well. The pulley ropes were
slackened in order that hold could be taken
higher on the stock, thus throwing the whole
weight Oh the pole. Without the slightest
warning, the pole broke, one end of it strik-
ing Mr.. Lambert on the cheek and knocking
him, to all appearances, dead; and the stock
shot like lightning to the bottom carrying Mr.
the factory for assistance, and Russell White
sell with unexampled presence of mind, darted
into the well and down the rugged walls to
drag, as he thought, the mangled body OF his
father from beneath the water. AS he descend
ed The wall he called repeatedly to his father,
but no sound reached him until within short
distance of the bottom when he heard groan.
A moment more and he came upon him wedg-
ed head downward between the well and stock
and within little more than foot OF the water
With almost superhuman strength the youth
of only nineteen succeeded in turning his father
whose weight is over $50 pounds, and then
bracing himself with his back against the
stock and feet on the wall. he drew him into
his lap and by the time assistance arrived at
the mouth of the well, he had reached to with
IN seyen or eight feet of the surface. Strange
to relate, notwithstanding the distance to
which he had fallen, Us ft.), the roughness OF
The wall, &C.. Mr.. Whitesell was conscious on
reaching the top and with little aid walked
to the factory which is rs yards from the well.
Mean while Mr.. Lambert had been removed to
the factory and had regained consciousness.
DR.. Coe of Waynesboro was summoned and
rendered surgical aid. Mr.. Whitesel was
found to be badly bruised about the head,
shoulder, and back. There were a few bad
cuts on the scalp. He was removed to his
home on Thursday and, thanks to good nurs-
ing, strong constitution and DR.. Coe, is
doing finely. Mr.. Lambert was only stunned
and is walking about. Mr.. Whitesell desires
your correspondent to return his thanks to
those who manifested such a kindly interest
in his behalf at the time of and since the acct
dent. He desires especially to thank Mr.. E.
NJ. Frenger, who performed 50 many kind
offices Mr.. R. F. Way, Master Willie Dudley,
Mr. Sam1 Mitchell, Mr.. Austin and wife and
Mr.. Thompson Lambert,
Burned-A little child of Mr.. A. H Curd
was badly burned few days ago by falling
into the fire while it's mother was out OF the
room. The burns were on the face, arms and
legs. 1t is rapidly recovering.