Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-01-28
A HORRIBLE DEATH.

About $50 o'clock last Saturday afternoon
horrible accident occurred in the shaft OF
the water works extension on Cham
payne avenue, between Seventeenth and
Eighteenth streets, near Boundary ST.,
northwest Washington, that resulted
in the death of one man, w. I. Brown,
laborer, and came near costing four other
workmen their lives. The terrible death OF
Brown has probably 10 parallel ID the DIS
tIict.
From the accounts of eye witnesses, it APP
pears that about 5 o'clock blast shot was
tired at the bottom of the shaft. The effect
of the shot was that several huge boulders
were shattered Immediately afterward
five men descended 10 the bottom by means
of IL large bucket to clear away the debris OF
the blast. While thus engaged the fireman
noticed that the "bracings" were giving
away, indicating leave in" He at once
gave the signal for the workmen to save
themselves, at the same time signaling the
engineer above to lower the bucket.
The bucket was lowered as fast as posi-
bic and two of the men who had climbed up
the side of the shaft got into it. At this in
slant there was a loud crash, as the lower
side caved in. carrying with it the heavy
brace tmbers. The bottom was entirely
covered by the huge mass, and after the
tAick cloud of dust had partially cleared
away, u small hole was seen through the de.
hris. above a considerable space that had
heen protected by the falling timbers.
| Through this hole the men, above lowered q
thick rope and rescued two more OF the
workmen unpjured, with the exception of 3
few bruises. The rope was lowered again
for the fifth and last man, and one of them
above yelled down, "Catch hold of the rope,
Pill aud we'll pull you up"
81 can't, boys" came back the answer
from the sepulchral depths, "Pm caught un-
| der Pile Of timber and stones"
Finally the engineer and one man went
down to the opening and looked in. A ter
rible sight met their gaze. The unfortu-
nate man was lying upon his back, while his
| lower limbs, and portion his body were
held in the vise-like grip of a mass of earth
and heavy timber. Directly over him was
Il hinge boulder weighing nearly two tons.
1t was held by avery slight section of earth,
aud swayea back and forth as though ready
! TO lall and crush the helpless man below.
when we saw that stone," said the en-
gneer, 1--WE would not venture to 20 through
the hole for fear it would fall on us. We
Game back to the top of the shaft and put
f! the engine to work pumping water, so that
| the man wouldn't drown"
Then no further effort was made to save
him." said the reporter.
No." was the reply, I'VE could only wait
until daylight in order to put 3 force OF men
| to work bracing the sides.''
The imprisoned man lived from the time
of the accident until nearly I o'clock yester-
day morning, nearly fifteen hours. There
were not less than 100 people at any time
at the mouth of the shaft listening to his
piteolls cries ion aid, such MS, "For Gods
sake help me" "The water is rising about
me-" Oh, my poor wife and ch;!.iren,n
"Have mercy on me-" &c. Those who
heard his cries sai2a they were heart rending
esnp"::1..,,y as no one could render assistance.
About daylight the cries grew more feeble,
and iinaily merged into groans and signs as
| the sufferer died horrible death.
Toward morning the imprisoned man be-
came insane as the water gradually rose
about him. In answer to the interrogatores
of the crowd at the mouth of the shaft he
would answer with such ordinations as
| RAISE the bucket" Now lower it, ""All to.
gether, boys" and similar terms.
About O'Clock yesterday evening the
body was dug out of the shaft.