John Crockett , 46, laborer, died saving Richard H. Haden, 71, from suffocation, Rustburg, Virginia, September 28, 1927. While at work at the bottom of a well 41 feet deep, Haden was overcome by gas. Stating he feared Haden had been affected by fumes from exploded dynamite, Crockett was lowered on a windlass rope and tied the rope around Haden’s chest. Haden was drawn out of the well. The rope was lowered to Crockett, but Crockett was so affected by gas that he could not handle the rope. Many men reached the well, but none would enter to aid Crockett. Finally Crockett’s stepson, securely roped, was lowered, and he tied the windlass rope to Crockett. He held to the rope as Crockett was being drawn up and reached the top of the well, but Crockett slipped from the rope and fell to the bottom, his neck being broken. A half-hour later his body was removed from the well. Haden was unconscious when taken from the well but was revived. 27784-2279
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