Francis Conley 1884-1911

CONLEY, KOESTER, VENTEICHER, NEPPL, BERGER

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 3/20/2014 at 14:58:42

August 17, 1911 - Carroll Times - Saturday afternoon Francis Conley met a horrible death in a well on the Wm. Koester farm in Pleasant Valley township near Willey. It seems that Geo. Venteicher with his well boring outfit was putting in an 18-inch well and had gotten to a depth of about 45 feet when he struck a rock. The rock was dynamited and after the fumes of the dynamite had been given plenty time to issue from the well, Conley offered his services in getting out the fragments. He had made it his duty to go into a well in instances of that kind.

He rigged up a chain loop on the rope and, inserting his foot in the loop, was lowered into the well. The narrow confines down there prevented him from stooping. He worked down there fifteen or twenty minutes and kept up a conversation with the men on top. Mr. Venteicher asked him how soon he was coming and Conley gave the order to pull up. When within about ten feet of the top he yelled for them to stop a minute and immediately fell back into the well.

The men called to him but received no response. As soon as the rope could be rigged Henry Neppl was lowered to get Mr. Conley out. He worked fast and hard but had to give up and when he was pulled out he was very weak from the gas.

Mr. Venteicher then jumped into his automobile and drove to the Peter Berger place to get a boy, who it was thought could do more in getting the man out. Peter, Jr., came and was lowered into the well. He worked like a trooper to get the rope about the body of Mr. Conley, who in the meantime had stopped breathing. This was a hard matter. Finally he managed to get the rope so placed about the man's head that he was pulled out but life was extinct.

The coroner was called out Sunday morning and Dr. Kessler appointed Fred Franzwa, Frank Schmich and S.J. Walz the jury. Evidence was taken and it was found that no blame could be attached to anyone for the accident. The men who were present at the time did their best to get the unfortunate man out of the well in time to save his life. The jury returned the verdict that Francis Conley had met his death by being overcome by gas in a well for which no responsibility could be fixed on anyone.

The young man was well and favorable known in this vicinity. He has a brother here in town and other near relatives in the county. He had many friends who are horrified and sorrowful at his untimely death. The funeral was held from St. Joseph's church here Wednesday forenoon at which a large number of mourning friends were present.