Henry Thomas West, 36, farmer, saved J. Arnold Martin, 31, farmer, from suffocation, Alpharetta, Georgia, June 4, 1927. While at work at the bottom of a well 60 feet deep, Martin was overcome by gas. West, who realized that Martin had been affected by gas, descended by means of footholds in the sides of the well and by holding to a windlass rope. On the way down, he called for a pair of overalls or something to place over his face as protection against the gas. He tied Martin to the rope with a pair of reins that had been dropped into the well, and, feeling that the reins were weak, he also used the overalls. He was affected by the gas but climbed out after being in the well three minutes. Others refused to enter to watch the weak reins and guide the rope while Martin was being drawn up. West, although fatigued, descended 40 feet, and then, as Martin had been pulled up to him, he guided the rope and ascended on the footholds as Martin was drawn to the top. West was weak and nervous when he reached the top. Martin was unconscious for two hours but recovered. 27321-2247
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