Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1911-05-24
WILLIAM RIEHLE rs NO MORE.
Was Killed by Asphyxiation in Well
Last Saturday Afternoon.

The sad death of William Richie
came as q shock to the people Of Wal
halla last Saturday as the result Of
his efforts to save Fritz Muller, a
young man who was engaged in work
in the we'll at the Richie home.
In the morning Muller had been
engaged In work in the we'll, having
placed a dynamite blast, which was
discharged, A wait or several hours
was made, allowing ample time, 1t
was thought, for the fumes from the
dynamite to rise and leave the we'll.
Young Muller was lowered into the
we'll early in the afternoon, and
shortly after reaching the bottom
gave the signal to be drawn out. He
was drawn up for some forty or
forty-fve feet, when those at the
wlndlass felt their burden tighten and
heard the body of Muller strike the
sides Of the we'll three times as he
fell to the bottom, having been over
come by the fumes and gases from
the dynamite set off earlier In the
day. Mr.. Richie. who was working
an a Held near by, was called, and
immediately made preparation to de-
scend to the assistance of Muller. In
ms e~ndeaVors to q V the young man
Mr. Richie was overcome, and the
rope was drawn up without a passen-
ger. James Pruitt, a negro man,
then descended into the we'll and sue
ceeded in %rescuing young Muller, and
the " were drawn up, both over
come by the gases inhaled. During
all this time MI. Richie was still at
the bottom of the we'll, and with
young Muller and his rescuer lying
unconscious there was no immediate
assistance obtainable to succor Mr..
Richie.
James Hunter, a negro working on
the farm Of Major VIM. j. Stribling,
ABOUT three-quarters of a mile away,
was sent for and reached the scene
as quickly as possible, and descended
into the we'll, having taken the pre-
caution, however, on the advice of
Or. Sloan, who had reached the
scene, to protect himself by tying a
handkerchief about his face SO as to
protect his nostrils, thus making
breathing possible without getting
the full effects of the horrible gases
at the bottom. He also made taut
about his own body the windlass
rope and descended. Mr.. Riehle's
BODY was drawn to the surface, but
life was already extinct. Hunter,
Notwithstanding his precautions, also
suffered from the gases and would
also nave suffered greatly had he
not secured the rope around his body.
The burial Of Mr.. Richie took place
In the Lutheran cemetery late SIM
day afternoon, funeral services being
conducted In the church by Rev. ],
B.. Umberger and attended by a large
number OF relatives and friends who
a come to pay the last sad tribute
TO his memory. He was well and
f~aVorably known. He was a cabinet
maker BY trade and an expert work.
man. A MAJ Of the highest integ-
rlty and honor, he was known univer-
sally as a MAJ Of true worth, as an
exemplary citizen, and as one worthy
the high esteem in which he was
held. In religious faith Mr.. Richie
was 2 catholic, and he was a con-
slstent membe Of that denomination.
lie lived his religion in his daily life
n was true to the highest principles
1hat go to make the well-rounded
man. In his death Oconee has lost n
good citizen. and his taking away has
brought sorrow to all who had known
him. He leaves to mourn his death
MS w1te, who was a Miss Burss be-
tore marriage, and seven children.
Mr.. Richie was &C years Of age. He
was a native Of Germany, having
been born ad raised to young man
born at Bruhl, Kingdom Of Baden.
He came to Walhalla in 1876, and
mad resided near town continuously
since. There are hosts Of friends Of
h family who will join with us in
extending sincere sympathy to the
grief-stricken ones.
Fritz Muller Is a son Of Dr.. and
Mrs. Charles Muller, who live near
Walhalla. He Is about 20 years of
age. His physicians give hope for
his recovery, though he has not as
vet regained consciousness. He Is
suffering not only from the effects Of
II poisonous gases, but was also
injured In many places on the body
II head by the fall in the well.