I must have at least 15 to 20 news items on Benny's rescue and recovery just from the N Y Times alone. I won't put them all up here but just wanted to tell you how big a story this was back then. It really was touch and go even after they got him out. He had pneumonia and stayed in the oxegen tent for several days. Doc Calabro took measurements on him. He was10 inches at the shoulders and the well shaft was 12 in diameter. For a week his entire family was thrown into the spotlight and the media as it is still apt to, went overboard on it. They would even comment on what clothes his mother was wearing to the hospital......The great thing about it all though was Benny made it out ok ..... you just can't beat a happy ending! Here's a few more tid bits ....

 

 

All kinds of good wishes poured in from all over. For seven days in May of 1957

Little Benny Hooper was the Big Story...Then on May 23 he rode in style out of Mastic Beach

and back to a normal life in Manorville.

I wonder if it had a Zeidler Decal on the trunk?

 

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