Harwood, Charles E 1863-1900

HARWOOD, BRADFORD

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 4/28/2016 at 18:44:20

Storm Lake Pilot Tribune - July 27, 1900 - At about 6 o'clock last evening David Batchelder rode into town with the startling announcement that Charley Harwood had been overcome by gas in a well at Truesdale and while possibly yet alive, was lying at a depth of 120 feet and no means at hand to rescue him.

Teams were at once secured and a large number of citizens hurried over 6 miles to Truesdale with all the speed possible. Every possible effort was made but the darkness and wedging of the body in the narrow earth made the work of recovery extremely difficult and it was 9:30 before it was brought to the surface and life had been extinct at least 3 hours.

The well was what is known as a blowing well, gas coming into, at or near, the bottom. It was begun by N.C. Wellmer, who sank a 30 inch hole 100 feet. Mr Harwood sank a 21 inch hole 10 feet farther and a 16 inch hole 32 feet. William Miller and others to whom he spoke Tuesday night of his intention to go into the well advised him not to attempt it or at least to have a rope around him by which he might be pulled out if necessary.

On trial a light was extinguished a few feet from the surface but he maintained that the gas would not affect him and slid down the augur rod to the top of the 16 inch curb and became unconscious almost immediately.

Deceased was born in Platt county, IL Sept 28, 1863, moved to Sac county with his parents in 1880. His father and one sister died in 1881 and in 1882 he moved with his mother to Storm Lake. He has been engaged most of the time since boring wells.

He has one sister living, Mrs Bradford of Topeka, Kansas, who is expected here Saturday and who, with the aged mother in her 82d year, have the sincere sympathy of this community.

The funeral wil be held Sunday afternoon.