The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-08-15
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 a seventy-flve 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 to assist in llber-
ating him. For eight days over one hum
dred sturdy neighbors labored to accomplish
this end, but it was only on the ninth that the
eIcavators got within sound of the imprisoned
mans voice. A dispatch dated on the day OF
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. be
was perfectly cheerful throughout, in spite
OF his terrible situation, a'ld directed the
work Of the other men. 1t was hoped that
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 wait
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 q
hole was cut ana the box was slipped through.
At ten o'clock Anderson, after pulling Off his
clothes, tied a rope under his arms, and holding
his hands straight above his head, was pulled
through the box and finally released from
his prison.
Before raising him to the open air his
clothes were put on and stimulants were ad-
ministered. After reaching the top OF the
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 rs If
Anderson had been brother to every person
in the community. So intense was the ex-
citement and anxiety that farmers left their
fields and merchants their stores and hocked
to the scene Of the accident. Every day
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 2
Feet S,uare and with not room for him to
stand erect He could not get on his knees
nor sit down.
Z ':About the first three days." says Ander-
son, II got along very well, but after that
began to want water badly. The fourth
day when it rained I heard what I
thought was water slowly dropping. Feeling
around I 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 we'll below me came so near being filled
by sand occasionally coming in, caused by the
diggers above
FHaving supply Of chewing tobacco did
not suffer so much for food as might have
been expected. From the beginning could
hear considerable that was said and done
above. 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, I cut the
ropes and heard the exciting talk that
prevailed when it was discovered that was
alive. It was music to me, and from that
time on was hopeful of being rescued
"About the sixth day I felt something
crawling on my hand and found it to be
fly. thought by this that an opening had
been made from above. I was correct, for
covered with sand, but no honey ever tasted
better than the moisture in that rag. Soon q
bottle Of water and piece of bread were
1iyen me-"