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Wilk (Peggy) Priest (Died 1943)

PRIEST, LOWRY

Posted By: John Davis (email)
Date: 12/13/2019 at 12:33:34

Obit posted in Ottumwa Courier March 23, 1943
Became National Figure 14 Years Ago When He Was Entombed 3 Days
Wilk (Peggy) Priest, 69, the Ottumwan who was buried alive in a well for three days back in 1929 and who became nationally famous as a result of his dramatic rescue, died at 11 p.m. Tuesday night at the home of his sister, Mrs. Eliza Lowry, 106 West Sherman street. Death came more than 14 years after Mr. Priest, almost given up for dead, was rescued through the attempts of coal miners and others who sunk a second shaft and tunneled to the entombed man. Wilk Priest was cleaning the well at the Anthony Genochio suburban home 1407 Asbury avenue, when rocks and earth above him gave away and buried him alive. That was on a Thursday noon, September 5, 1929. From then until Saturday, day and night workmen dug and thousands waited to learn if the rescue would be made successfully. The man was reached and rushed to a hospital by an ambulance that had been waiting the entire time. The victim was not only alive, but apparently unhurt. The dramatic story was telegraphed throughout the nation by all the major press services and Mr. Priest, was singed to a stage contract. His appearance before the footlights was brief, however. Since then the story has been gradually forgotten and the shrubbery and flowers at the Genochio home, trampled into the ground by the thousands of curious, have grown up again. Mr. Priest resided in Ottumwa some 40 years. He survived by the one sister. The body was taken to the Carroll Reece funeral home, pending final arrangements. Funeral services for Wilk (Peggy) Priest, who died late Tuesday at the home of his sister, Mrs. Eliza Lowry of 106 West Sherman street, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday from the Carroll Reece funeral chapel. The Rev. A. D. McClure will be in charge of the services and burial will be in Shaul cemetery.


 

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