The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-12-19
BuargD ALavx.


ana Narrowly Escape.
Frank Cobb and Gus Nelson, both in
the employ Of Charles Kaiser, 4 plumber
and gassitaer 1t Front and seneca streets.
narrowly escaped deaeI last evening at
~ O'Clock by the caylng in Of an exeavn--
ton on Marion street, between Front and
West. The men we're at w0rk Iaying gas
pipe for connection with the new Camp
bell Il Atkinson baiIding. TIE hole is
aeout tea feet long. four feet vide and
swssye feet In depth. and the sides were
entirely unprotected By pianking.
At the time OF the accident Frank Cobb,
xno i kaiseT's foreman. was on his knees
getting pipe in position. Nelson was at
the opposite end of the excavation. also Ia
kneeIing position. Without warning the
east side eaved IN. hurying both men.
Nelson's chin was barely above the level OF
the III. Cobb was completely covered.
bat. luckily for him, and the only thing
that saved his life was the fact that q huge
lump OF earth feii intact. pinning him
closely 70 the bottom and side of the hole.
bat resting against the west side so as TO
leave very small breathing space. At
first the earth pressed against his face. but.
fortunately. his right arm was thrown In
snth position that he was enabled 70
serape the dirt away from his mouth.
Nelson cried out for help aud he was
heard by Joseph Renter. also an empioye
of Kaiser's. who was engaged in carrying
gas pipe TO the two men, and who was just
coming out OF the building ut the tisne.
Nelson's call for aid quickly brought him
20 the hole. and taking in the peFiious situ-
alton OF his companion he shouted for help.
A large crowd soon gathered, and willing
hands set 70 work to rescue the imprisoned
men within three minutes after the acct
dent had occurred.
The groans OF the unfortunate fellows,
who were SO tightly pinned down that
their very life was being crushed out,
greatly excited the crowd. and the police
men had great difficulty in handling and
preventing them from crowding around
and impeding the workers.
Within fifteen minutes Nelson was pulled
out. greatly frightened. but injured only
hy few bruises about his chest. In the
meantime the dirt was being shoveied
away from around Cobb's head. but pro-
greas was slew. owing to the narrow space
and the necessity for great care TO prevent
further caving in.
.For God s sake, boys, hurry, can't bold
ont much longer" the poor fellow would
cry out.
Keep up your courage. we're getting 10
You. sang out the workers.
Hurry, for Gods sake, hurry. can't
live II you don'tl'
Progress was slow, but after mech hard
work, enough dirt was shoveled away 70
allow Cobb 20 move the upper part OF his
body. rope had been procured. one end
Of which was passed around under his arms.
and slowly but surely he was lifted from
his perilous position, just one hour after
the earth had eaved in.
A carriage had been called. and Cobb
was lifted in, as he WAS unable TO walk. He
was taken 10 Providence hospital By his
employer, who was on the ground shortly
after the accident occ'ssred
II was found that no sss'Tsss were broken,
but his right leg was severely bruised and
he was injured about the chest. lie viii be
confined 20 his bed for several days.