OCR Text |
Show FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT - A BOY INSTANTLY KILLED. On Monday last, shortly before 4 o'clock p.m., a dreadful accident occurred on the Temple premises by which a boy was killed. Some hundreds of yards east of the Temple building is a hay press used for baling Temple hay. On the day named, Brothers Ben Ramsdell, -- Sjorberg, an Indian, and two boys were working the press, baling some straw. The press had not been used for about a year, and did not work very well. One bale had been made, when the lower platform, that rises as the bale is pressed, and falls when the press is to be refilled, would not slide down. It is worked by a large rope which is attached to a capstan turned by a horse. Brother Ramsdell stood on a platform near the top of the press feeding it, and when the lower platform of the press would not slide down, he called to the Indian to slacken the rope so as to allow it to do so. The Indian could not understand what was wanted, but one of the boys, named John ???Unknown???, understood and putting his head through an opening near the bottom of the press, pulled the rope so that it suddenly slacked and allowed the platform to fall with great force a distance of about eight feet. The platform is constructed of heavy oak plank nailed to heavy side timbers of oak, and as it fell one of these side pieces struck the boy across the shoulder and back of the neck, pressing him tightly between it and a cross timber at the bottom of the press, and killing him almost or quite instantly. None of those about the press noticed the boy for some moments after the accident happened. Brother Ramsdell called to him twice to hand up a board, but he not responding, the other boy passed up the board. That moment the Indian noticed the terrible position of the lad and called out in great alarm, "Boy! Boy!" Brothers Ramsdell and Sjorberg then looked to where the boy lay, and instantly extracted him. They took him in their arms and started toward the Temple office with him. He moved convulsively once or twice, the only indication of life after being picked up. His chin, shoulder, and neck were badly crushed, and he bled profusely. Deceased was between 13 and 14 years of age. His mother died when he was but a few hours old, and his father afterwards deserted the family. He was raised by his grandmother, Sister Ramsdell. He is described as a bright, active and intelligent child. No blame can be attached to any person for the accident, as it is such a one as could never have been foreseen nor expected. An inquest was held over the remains. |