THE CARNEGIE BEQUEST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2373, 14 December 1908, Page 5

THE CARNEGIE BEQUEST.

THE FIRST HERO

The first ease approved by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commissioners is that of the widow and six children of Thomas Wright, who lost his life on the very day that the letter announcing the bequest was read. Wright was employed at Baxter’s Chemical Works, St. Helens. A piece of machinery had fallen into a well belonging "to the United Alkali Company, containing waste sulphur liquor. Henry Jackson went down to recover it, was immediately overcome by foul gases, and callapsed at the bottom. Another man, named Maguire, made two attempts to rescue him* but he was beaten back by the gas, and escaped with difficulty. Others were waiting for ropes to be brought, but seeing Jackson struggling at the bottom, Wright exclaimed: “Me cant stand here and see another man drown. We can get him up before the ropes come.” Without- a. single precaution against gas, he descended, and was lifting Jackson up when lie collapsed. Then Peter Littler, with a towel iu his mouth, went down the ropes, and the two were drawn out, not without risk to Littler. who was left hanging in the shaft of the well from a broken ladder. He scrambled out. however. Artificial respiration revived Jackson, but M right was beyond aid.