Frank Arnold 1867-1893

ARNOLD, MARSO, STARKS

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 7/30/2012 at 11:32:32

Oct 22, 1893 - Algona Courier - A sad case of death occurred at Nic Marso's place near St. Joe a few days ago. Mr. Marso was having a well bored, and the work was being done by Frank Arnold and Mr. Starks. When they got down to a depth of about 50 feet the rod became disconnected and Arnold concluded to go down and adjust it. He made a loop in a rope for his foot and was thus let down. When he reached the bottom of the place where the work was to be done Starks heard him groan, and calling to him received no answer.

He then proceeded to pull him out as rapidly as possible, but when Arnold had reached within about fifteen feet of the top he lost his grip and fell to the bottom. It then required some hours to get the body out with grappling hooks, and when it was taken out of course it was too late to do anything toward restoring his life.

It seems that he went down in the well a few hours before this, and removed a stone, feeling no bad effects at all. But between that and the last descent a little water had come into the well, and it was noticed that bubbles were coming through the water. It would seem that a pocket of gas was struck, such as has been frequently struck in this section of county. A light should always be lowered into a well before a man descends, and the air thus tested. Coroner Sheetz was called to hold an inquest on the body of Arnold, and he found that he met his death as above stated.