Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-08-10
RESCUED FROM A WELL.
John Anderson, Of Nebraska,
EntOmbed Ten Days.
Thrilling Experiences in the Depths
Of the Excavation.

John Anderson, of Johnstown, Neb-, was
at the bottom of seventy-fiye foot well
making some repairs ten days ago, when the
sides of the orifce caved in and imprisoned
him An alarm was Immediately sent
throughout the neighborhood, and people as
Sembled from far and near 10 assist In nDer-
ating him. For eight days over one hum
dred sturdy neighbors labored to accomplish
this end but 1t was only on the nInth that the
excavators got within sound of the imprisoned
mans voice. A dispatch dated on the day or
his rescue gives the following particulars:
Over one hundred feet of lumber were
used in the construction of the framework
by means of which he was to be rescued he
was perfectly cheerful throughout, IN spite
of his terrible situation, and directed the
work of the other men. 1t was hoped tha6
he would be rescued the day before, but when
the sun went down it was found impossible
to get light to him so that he could see to
work. 1t was accordingly decided to wal1
for daylight.
At daylight the work was resumed with re-
newed courage and determination. A box,
eighteen inches long and ten by eleven inches
square, open at both ends and thoroughly
soaped inside, was lowered to the boards that
were protecting him In this covering a
hole was cut ana the box was slipped through.
At ten o'clock Anderson after pulling off his
clothes, tied rope under his arms, and holding
his hands straight above his head, was pull ed
through the box and finally released from
his prison
Before raising him to the open air his
clothes were put on and stimulants were adj
ministered. After reaching the top OF ia
ground he shook hands with his rescuers and
tried to thank them, but could only say:
God bless you, boys" when his voice was
choked.
There were two hundred people present,
and there were very few dry eyes among
them. He was at once carried to the farm
house and placed under the care OF two
physicians.
After he was taken into the house the
crowd gave three cheers for Henry Archer
and George Campbell, the men who took
him from the well. They were so overcome
with fatigue and JOY that when the crowd
began congratulating them they were like
children. There is as much rejoicing as il
Anderson had been brother to every person
in the community. So intense was the ex-
element and anxiety that farmers left their
fields and merchants their stores and fOcked
to the scene of the accident Every ay
supplies were sent to the workers from
private residences and stores, and the
women were unceasing in their kindly Offices.
But, although the rescuing party did all in
their power, Anderson would never have
been saved but for his own efforts. He
planned and directed the work during the
last two days.
The rescued man in relating his experience
says that when the boards and sand closed in
over him, he was crowded into box about ,
feet square and with not room for him to
stand erect. He could not get on his knees
nor sit down.
the UrSU UnfoS Gays, says Amer
son, 81 got along very WELL but after that
began to want water badly. The fourth
day when it rained [ heard what l
thought was water slowly dropping. Feeling
around found it and holding my mouth
open managed in this way to get about
dozen drops of water which gave me much
relief. l had no difficulty in breathing until
the well below me came so near being filled
by sand occasionally coming in, caused by the
diggers above.
Having supply OF chewing tobacco did
not suffer so much for food might have
been expected. From the beginning [ could
hear considerable that said and done
above. l heard the wagon when it started to
town for lumber and heard some one say the
man is dead and the order given to try to pull
my box out. When they began to pull knew
there was great danger of the boards giving
way and crushing me, and for my own safety
and to give evidence of being alive [ cut the
ropes and heard the exciting talk that
prevailed when it was discovered that | was
alive 1t was music to me, and from that
time on [ was hopeful of being rescued.
about the sixth day l felt something
crawling on my hand and found it to be
fly. l thought by this that an opening had
been made from above. l was correct for
soon wet rag was passed to me. 1t was
covered with sand, but no honey ever tasted
better than the moisture in that rag. Soon a
bottle of water and piece of bread were
given me-"