KinSource - Tale of the Week - In A Living Grave

KinSource

Minnesota Tales

The Minneapolis Journal, July 11, 1895, p. 2

IN A LIVING GRAVE

Seibert Hola, a Welldigger, Caught by a Cave In.

HE IS BURIED FOR 7 HOURS.

Before Being Dug Out by the Rescuers - He Breathed Through a Pipe.

Siebert Hola, a well digger, while sinking a well at the residence of H. B. Cram, 3226 Fifth avenue S, this morning, was buried by a cave-in. He was down in the well about 15 feet, when it caved in and he was submerged in about five feet of earth. The Fifth precinct police station was at once notified and the police called out Hook and Ladder Company No. 3. A quick run was made to the scene of the accident, and a cast iron pipe was sunk into the hole. Soon an indistinct murmur was heard, which increased in strength until it was identified as the voice of Hola. He answered questions put to him, and stated that he was all right, only a little cramped. A number of police officers and the hook and ladder crew went to work with a will and soon succeeded in getting out enough of the dirt so that the hands of the submerged man could be seen, Hola kept talking encouragingly through the pipe and told the men to work rapidly, as the earth was pressing on him very hard. It was only by the prompt response of the police and the fire department that the man was saved from smothering to death.

Hola resides at 2914 Franklin avenue and is married.

The rescue crew worked faithfully all morning to dig the man out, but as soon as they took one bucket out another would cave in, and for a time their labor was in vain. Sheathing was sunk, and then the work was somewhat facilitated. A few hours will suffice to unearth the man.

Fears are expressed that if he is not unearthed soon he will not be able to survive, the pressure on his chest being so heavy as to prevent breathing.

At 3:30 this afternon Hola's head had been uncovered and his extrication was a question of but a few minutes.