Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-22
YOUTH SUCKED
INTO OIL WELL
BOY BATTLES DESPERATELY
FOR HIS LIFE
FRANTIC CRIES ARE HEARD JUST
IN TIME
Had Stepped of Railroad Right Of
Way Into Viseid Fluid Left
About Site of Natural
Well

NH ARIANTA BANDOVAL, Mexican
| WI 16 years old. who lives at 5sS
Mission road. was rescued from a
slow and agonizing death last night by
Patrolman H. c. Allen and Deputy
Sheriff A. A. Guzman.
Ssndoval had fallen into an open
natural oil well on the Pacific Electric
right of way at the rear of $50 Gallardo
street and had sunk In the heavy, viscid
liquid to his lips He was dragged TO
safety and to life just as he had given
up all hope of being rescued.
For more than two hours the boy
had battled against the tenacious hold
of the ever down sucking mixture, cry
ing for help until his voice was lost in
hoarse whispers and no longer capable
Of being heard rod distant from the
treacherous opening into which he had
fallen, and just as he was ready to
sink to his death there came a flash
of dim light from the little, dry cell
lamp, carried by policemen, and call
of inquiry which told him rescue was
at hand.
Young Sandoval is employed at the
Cudahy Packing eompany's plant and
on his way home from work is accus-
toned to walk on the Pacific Electric
right of way, as It affords a short cut
through the twists and turns of hills
and streets that lie between his home
and his place of work.
AS he was walking on the center of
the track an inbound car approached
with a rush and roar, and he stepped
to one side to allow it to pass.
In the darkness he was unable to
discern the sunken opening which lay
foot or little more to the right of
the outer edge of, the ties, and SO
stepped into it.
Down he plunged, and with the earth.
gravel and ballast of the railway track
rattling about his head and binding
him, he screamed in terror, but the
only response he received was the
sharp, shrill cry of the air whistle Of
the passing car as it sounded for
nearby crossing.
Lower and lower he sank and his
voice was raised in cries of frantic ap-
peal for help which rose on the air
and died away against the high en-
bankments on both sides of the railway
through the hill.
1t was a lonesome spot and there
were no near neighbors to hear his !
pitiful appeals for life. A half block |
away lived Frank Conteros, and at |
he heard the far off and muf- |
aed cries for help.
fnd the spot from which the cries |
came, and as they grew weaker and |
less frequent he paid little attention |
10 them.
Finally, as he was passing from his |
back yard TO a path which would take |
aim down the hill to the street, he |
again heard the muffied cry, and as he |
vent toward the center of the city he |
net Patrolman Allen and told him of |
he occurrence.
Allen at once began an investigation, |
n which he was Joined by Deputy |
Sheriff Guzman, who also had heard |
he cries. Some one knew the old oil /
veil, and the policeman at once said
he cries must come from there.
An indistinct and gurgling reply was
leard, and cautiously the officers crept
o the edge of the opening and again
allied. There was no answer this
ime, for the boy had sunk to his nose
n the heavy oil and was unable to re-
ly.
Aliens flash light which pointed to
he hole, however, gave them a glimpse
+ the boys head, and the rope was
owered to him, and feebly and slowly
e grasped 1t, Then the officers pulled
nd tugged and raised him half way
ut of the mixture, when his hold was
oosened and hes fell back into the
ool.
A second time he clutched the rope
nd by the officers instruction he
nally got the rope beneath his arms
nd was hoisted to safety. II