Haydn Long, 21, meatcutter, helped to save Edward Hadfield, 57, factory inspector, from a well cave-in, Bristol, Connecticut, November 11, 1923. Hadfield was standing upright at the bottom of a well 23 feet deep when sand and gravel suddenly dropped from two opposite sides, covering him except for a part of one hand. A framework of light boards, which had been insecurely braced against the walls, was knocked loose and out of position, and further caving of the walls threatened. Long descended a ladder and, without any tools, began clearing the sand from Hadfield’s head with his hands. Small quantities of sand dropped from the sides of the well frequently, but Long was able to uncover Hadfield’s head after working for 50 minutes. Long then was fatigued and nauseated and ascended the ladder. A few minutes later a fireman was roped and entered the well; after working an hour, he cleared the sand from Hadfield to his waist. Another man then entered the well, and after working an hour, he left the well. The fireman re-entered the well and removed the sand somewhat below Hadfield’s knees. Hadfield then got his feet out of his galoshes and was hauled out of the well. He was exhausted but recovered. 24229-2056
24229 – 2056
24229-2056Obituary
Haydn Long, 72, of Springfield, Mass., died on July 26, 1975. Long was born on Dec. 21, 1902, in Bradford, England.
A meat-cutter, Long was known as the “Irving Berlin of meat-cutters” because he composed more than 500 songs.
He was 21 on Nov. 11, 1923, when he jumped into a collapsing well in Bristol, Conn., to help to save a 57-year-old factory inspector. The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission awarded him the Carnegie Medal in October 1926. He used the $500 grant that accompanied the medal to buy furniture in preparation for his marriage to Shirley J. (Benjamin) Long.
Long lived in Springfield for more than 60 years. He was buried in Adams Cemetery in Wilbraham, Mass.
(Edited from an obituary provided by the family.)