The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-09-08

HOmewoOd is shrouded in sorrow to-
day and all Hammond sympathfzes with
the stricken families where the death
nngeI raped on the doors this noon.
sand pit, school boys dugout,
which they were preparing for wam-
1nx psaee next winter when they go
skating In the winter proved to be a
death trap, In which Harry Ricketts,
was killed and Louis Mott brought to
the verge of death, Gerald EIIick and
Clifford Hudson thoagh buried in sand
to their shoulders had a miraculous es-
cape.
The dugout is located about a block
west of Postmaster William Gostlin's
house. in sand ridge and hidden from
view by shrubbery
The hole itself is about nine feet in
diameter and was about four feet deep.
Toward the south leading from the
main hole and somewhat deeper was q
tunnel in which the four boys were
working They had gone there imme-
diately after their noon day luncheon
to continue their work From their
homes they had procured shovels, and
an industrious lot of youngsters they
were working away to prepare their
abode for next winter.
Parents Knew of DugOut.
None of the parents knew where the
boys were, but they knew that they
had a dugout and had warned them re-
peatedly. They hoped that with the be-
ginning of school today, the boys would
cease their activity, and stay away from
the danger. They little realized that it
would be the first thing for the lads to
do after coming home from school, But
they had misjudged the nature of a boy
Harry Ricketts, was in the farthest
end of the tunnel and next to him
working on his knees was the Mott
boy. The Ellick and Hudson boys were
nearer the entrance and with willing
hands were throwing back the sand
that their larger comrades had loosed
from the wall.
Roof Breaks without Warming.
Without a warning, the roof of the
cave gave way on all sides. Not enough
time remained for a cry to be uttered.
Ricketts, and Mott were covered com
pletely while Hudson stood buried to
his shoulders and Ellick above the
waist line
Ellick told the whole story to a TIMES
reporter at the scene of the accident.
neither he nor Hudson were excited.
despite the fact that one of their COM
rades lay dead besides them covered
with a blanket and the other in the
care of Drs. Howatt and Sharrer.
The two lads. it scenes didn't seem
TO care just then. it almost i'm
possible that these two should be brim-
ming with life while one of their COM
rades lay dead and the other almost so.
Boy Tells story
When I saw what had happened" !"
said young Ellick to a TIMES reporter.
told Hudson to help dig me out and
that I would then run for help He
helped me as much as he could and
then l started to run toward the houses
to call for help. When 1 came back he
had worked himself out and was try
ing to get the other boys out too"
We were getting ready to fix up a
warming up place for next winter.
when we go skating We were going
to leave the cave on which we were
working and intended to cover the big
hole with boards
The news of the accident spread like
wild fire through Homewood, men.
womnen and children rushed to the
scene taking spades and shovels. medf-
cine, blankets and towels with them
prepared TO meet the worst.
Drs. Howatt and Sharrer were on the