John Sims Morton rescued Hubert L. Hartless from a cave-in in a well, Lynchburg, Virginia, March 20, 1942. While Hartless, 56, carpenter, was at work in a well 35 five feet deep, which was lined with terra cotta pipe for 24 feet below the surface, the walls below the pipe collapsed; and Hartless climbed upon the debris. The bottom section of the pipe, which was two feet high, then fell, encircling Hartless, who was dazed; and he was pinned in the section in a sitting position 27 feet below the surface. Another section fell and lay on his back, and sand buried him to his shoulders. Morton, 56, farmer, reached the well and heard other men, who thought further cave-ins were likely, refuse to enter the well. Morton lowered two frail ropes into the well; and by means of blocks attached to the ends of the ropes, he supported the remaining pipe sections, which extended 20 feet below the surface. He then was lowered by means of a windlass to Hartless. He feared the ropes would not hold the pipe if it should start to slip. Morton dug sand from around Hartless’s face and from around the pipe section that lay on him. City firemen then arrived and braced the pipes further. With a sledge hammer Morton broke the pipe that lay on Hartless; and he sent it and sand to the surface in a bucket. A small amount of sand fell from the walls. After working for an hour and three quarters, Morton freed Hartless, who was hoisted from the well. Morton then was pulled out. Hartless sustained serious injuries but recovered. 39460-3269
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39460-3269