previous | next

back to Table of Contents

(Transcribed by Peggy Barriskill Perazzo, December 2005)

"Recollections of A Busy Life,"
By Eli Fayette Ruggles

H. L. Ruggles & Co., Publishers, (published circa 1904)

Chapter VII.

The Stone Well.

Stillman F. Breed was teaching our school and was present when the
following happened, as was later written by him, and I give it as he wrote it:

A Sketch of S. F. Breed. (rescuing Eli Ruggles)

It was in the month of February, one beautiful clear Sabbath day, and only
a few scattering clouds hovered over the scene. The people had returned to
their homes from that Christian assembly where the acts of the pious had
been blended into one united prayer to their God who rules on high. There
they had talked of the goodness of God in prolonging their lives and
sustaining their health. But little did any of that happy number think that
ere that day should close they would approach even to the gate of death.
But such was the case of one youth about the age of fifteen, who was the
pride of his parents and beloved by all who know him. Eli, for that was the
lad's name, went to the well for a pail of water and lost the bucket. His
mother had gone to the nearest neighbor. A younger brother and sister,
Westley and Mariah, went to the spring for a pail of water, while Eli, by
the assistance of his father, who was a large and athletic man, but blind,
by means of a rope and windlass was lowered into the well, which was
twenty-two feet deep, to recover the bucket. Reaching the bottom, he placed
his feet on opposite sides of the well, when one of the stones dropped into
the water, then another and another in rapid succession. When Eli called to
his father to wind the windlass, and himself sprang up the rope with all
his might. When half way out the stone closed in upon him to the depth of
three feet above his head. With position erect and both hands above his
head, in which the rope was clasped, stones below, above and all around, he
was firmly held in their cold embrace. The news was soon conveyed to the
mother, who hastened homeward. Westley mounted a horse to convey the news
to the neighbors. I was seated by the fireside of a neighbor when I heard
the voice of some one hallooing. I went to the door and Westley told me
with a stifled voice that Eli was in the well, buried beneath the stone.
Taking my cap, I hastened to the place, which was a mile and a half
distant. Many teams were soon on the road, hastening to the point of
danger. When I reached the house I was met by the mother with her hands
clasped and said: "Oh, Stillman, we have a trial now." Who can imagine the
anguish of that mother's heart, the love she felt for her dear son? It
cannot be described by the pen of man.

I saw, too, a father that was blind and could not behold the scene; how
great must have been his anguish of heart! Eli's little sisters were
weeping bitterly, for they feared he would die. Great, too, were the fears
of all lest he would die before we could remove the stone sufficiently to
relieve him from his perilous situation. The poor boy was groaning under
the pressure of those large stones. There was yet a circle of large stone
at the top of the well, held there by the frost, and those lay projecting
over the inside, and there was danger of their falling every minute, and
any person would have been in danger of his life to venture in there.

Mr. Gilbert Conkling proposed knocking this stone loose and letting them
fall in, but Eli cried, "don't let the stone fall, for my head is holding
the stone apart." Mr. Robertson went into the well and commenced handing
out stone, but seeing they could not work in that way he came out, and we
tore away the curbing. This being done, and several more men having arrived
to help relieve the victim from death, which seemed to be his doom. It was
enough to melt the most stubborn heart to hear the groans and cries of the
boy and his prayer, which was, "O', Lord, have mercy on me." And with it
the prayer of the father and mother to save their son.

Ancel Reynolds went in and worked till the boy's head and shoulders were
uncovered, but the blood on the stone was too much for him, and he was
helped out. Mr. Samuel Robertson took his place, and soon seeing the danger
that both were in, he cried out, "O', for God's sake bring something that
we can get these stones out faster with! Let us save the boy." Men lay on
their breasts around the well trying to hold those stones from falling, but
the sun was shining and those stones were thawing, and fall they must.

One says lay boards over him, and another says build a stage around him.
"Some board, some boards, for heaven's sake! Here are boards in this
leanto," and down comes the building quickly, and the boards placed around
the boy at the outside of the well circle, coming together at the center,
and then the stones loosed till all were down. Then stones were too heavy
to be raised by any means at hand. One says, "Mr. John Olds is digging a
well and a rope and tub are there." Away flies Husen Taylor with his horse
and cutter the mile and a half, and soon the windlass was erected, then the
stones were soon removed. As we neared his feet the boy was in great pain
from the blood beginning to circulate again. We got almost to his feet.
"Can't you get out yet, Eli?" "I might by leaving one boot," and a laugh
and a ringing shout went up and a dozen pairs of boots were offered. Only
come out, come out, anyway to get out; but we are glad to see you.

Lyman the Choice.

There was greater expectation for Lyman than any other of the sons. High
forehead, wide jaws, giving evidence of a stern character. Had the best
chance at school, was well educated, very attentive to his business. Taught
several schools, always had a big exhibition at the close of each term;
taught singing also. Had brown hair and very curly. We believed he would
some day be the choice for some big office.

previous | next

back to Table of Contents