The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Springfield, Nov. 21. On Tuesday the 8th Instant, Messieurs THOMAS STEBBINS, Moses COOLEY, and James PARKER of this Place, were taking up an old Well ; they had dug about 14 Feet, when they observed the Dirt on one Side seemed to be coming in, Mr. Stebbins being on a Scaffold near the Top of the Well jump'd out, the other two were immediately buried in the Dirt about a Foot over their Heads, the Scaffold (which was of thick Boards) at the same Time falling in, in a great Measure prevented the Earth from pressing against the Men, and Mr. Stebbins knowing the particular Place in which they stood, was able in a few Minutes to uncover them, Otherwise they must unavoidably have perished. The Reason of the Dirt's falling in was their not digging so far round as the Well was formerly dug ; which may serve as a Hint to People who have occasion to take up their Wells to be careful that the second Digging extend as far as the first.