Elijah J. Claiborne attempted to save William J. T. Smith from suffocation, Allen, Oklahoma, August 25, 1913. Smith, 57, farmer and well digger, was overcome by carbon dioxide almost as soon as he reached the bottom of a well in which he intended to work. Claiborne, 33, schoolteacher, learned of the accident and ran a quarter-mile to the well. He did not hesitate, but straddled a stick on the well rope and was at once lowered into the well. When he was halfway to the bottom, he felt the effects of the gas, and when about five feet from the bottom, he called to be hoisted. He was drawn up until his head was at the surface, then he was overcome and fell a distance of 38 feet to the bottom of the well. Bones of his right foot and his jaw were broken. The well was fanned, and in 20 minutes Claiborne started to struggle. He grasped the well rope and was drawn to the surface. It required force to release his grasp on the rope. He was unconscious and remained so two hours and was disabled 97 days. Smith was caught by a noose in a rope and pulled to the surface. He recovered. 11989-1113
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