Cornaro S. Patton, 57, stationary fireman, attempted to save Jesse Palmer, 41, farmer, from suffocation, Murphy, North Carolina, July 24, 1914. Palmer entered a 50-foot well in which a helper had already been affected by gas, and was soon overcome. Patton was summoned and learned that other men present were afraid to enter. He descended in a tub on the well rope, tied another rope to Palmer, and started to leave the well. Although he was feeling choked, he returned to the bottom before he was drawn out and readjusted the rope on Palmer. He was drawn to the top, holding the rope he had tied to Palmer, but those at the top failed to seize the rope, and it fell back into the well. After an effort to get one of the others present to go, Patton again descended. He was again raised with the rope in his hand, but his hand caught in the windlass as he reached the top, and the rope dropped into the well again. He was lowered once more, brought the rope to the surface, and left the well feeling sick and choked. He recovered. Palmer was taken from the well dead. 13534-1209
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