Palmyra, Mo., April 6, 1888

A sad accident occurred here today in which a score of school children had a miraculous escape from death. Today was Arbor or Tree Planting Day in Missouri and fully 40 little ones started out with their teacher to dig trees in a neighboring grove and plant them in the school yard. Twenty of the children wandered away from the teacher and began playing around an abandoned well. The rotten planks covering the well gave way and 15 children were precipitated to the bottom. It was 20 feet to the water and there was three feet of water. Two of the children, Arthur Little and May Dolan, were drowned. Seven were dangerously injured. Help was summoned and the little ones were hauled up as fast as possible. Three of the rescued are not expected to live.