Richmond Enquirer
July 5, 1825
We are indebted to the polite attention of the Postmaster at Brentsville for the particulars of a melancholy, casualty which occurred at that place on the 19th inst. Peter Owens, a man about 60 years of age, who had pursued the occupation of a well-digger for the last forty years, was employed by John McCrae, Esq. of Prince William county, Va. to clean a well on his plantation. During the whole of the day above named he was closely engaged at his business, and at night, throwing his coat across his lap, sat down on the bank of the well to rest himself. Having drunk freely of ardent spirits, which was not unusual for him to do, and being much fatigued with the labor of the day, he soon fell asleep and tumbled backwards into the well -- 83 feet deep, and containing 10 feet of water. The body was reclaimed as soon as practicable, and a jury of inquest held over it, who gave for their verdict, "that the deceased came to his death by an accidental fall into a well, or by a bruise on the head in falling."
We are requested to state that he has several children some where in Virginia, and that his property will more than pay his debts.
Alex. Phenix
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