Leonard Boyce Rescued From Well: A HAPPY OHOCH Tale

Leonard Boyce at Williamson Memorial with his nurse, Mrs. Madge Layne The Weirton Daily Times  14 August 1967

Thanks to the nature of this blog, too often I find myself sharing tragic tales of death and suffering associated with the haunted locations featured here. But, today, I wanted to share a HAPPY story from the former Williamson Memorial Hospital, now known as the haunted and historic Old Hospital on College Hill! 

On Friday, August 11th, 1967, Leonard Boyce of Lenore, WV set out to inspect a well on his family’s property. Around 5:15 pm, the 15-year-old boy climbed down, but dislodged a rock, causing the wall of the well to collapse. The unfortunate youth was buried up to his shoulders in rock, mud and debris about halfway down the well. 

Rescue teams were immediately called in and worked throughout the night to free the boy. Several small cave-ins complicated the rescue operation as workers and on-lookers alike tried to keep the boy in good spirits. He was given water and hot chocolate through a tube throughout the night and encouraged to pray. Leonard admitted that at multiple times, he thought he was a ‘goner,’ and began to pray for forgiveness. When asked later what he was asking to be forgiven for, he confessed that he cussed sometimes. 

Heavy machinery finally arrived, and a trench was dug by the well. At about 5:07pm on Saturday, Tom Farley of Delbarton was able to pull Leonard out of a 30-inch opening, 14 feet down, feet first. Just prior, Leonard had been asking for a sandwich. 200 people were on-site to witness this miraculous recovery.

Leonard was immediately taken to Williamson Memorial Hospital, about 15 minutes away. He had a bluish complexion and his body was stiff and rigid. After 24 hours in the well, the boy’s vital signs were good, but he had frost bite on his feet and needed intravenous feeding. He was entrusted to the care of Nurse Madge Layne, who was confident that the numb, hungry, and thirsty boy who had garnered so much attention for his harrowing 24 hours stuck in a well would be well enough to go home in just a few days. 

It’s unlikely that those seeking ghosts at the Old Hospital on College Hill will encounter any hauntings associated with this story, but it is possible that a spirit residing in the halls of the haunted hospital may remember Nurse Layne and her dedication to her patients. If anything, this story reminds us that hospitals, while generally considered places full of negative energy, can also have happy memories attached as well. Although Williamson Memorial was a place where many died, sometimes under tragic circumstances, many others began life here…or as in other cases, had their lives SAVED here. Positive happy energy can leave an imprint on a location, too. 

If you want MORE OHOCH stories, check out my Old Hospital on College Hill page–LINK HERE! 

Tampa Bay Times 13 August 1967

Tampa Bay Times 13 August 1967