Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-08-03
Correspondence of the Gazette.
GALESA, July, 81, 1860.
ALUMNUS.


EDITOR GAZETTE:
Our community is overshad-
owed by more general gloom than has per-
vaded it for many years. Death, at all times
an unwelceme and gloomy visitor, has appear
ed among us more terrible in his visitation,
and has stricken deeper wound than is his
won't, and with bowed heads the entire people
acknowledge his title of " King of Terrors."
About O'Clock p. NJ. on Wednesday the
25th inst, Mrs. Elizabeth Van Fleet with
Mrs D. Skies, entered the mill of the husband
of the former, both in good health and excel
lent spirits. In few moments after the
crushed, bleeding. and insensible form of the
former was borne to her home, and in short
time more was lifeless corpse.
In passing a shaft in the South eastern por-
tion of the mill, her clothing was caught by it,
and unable to extricate herself with the exer-
tions Of her husband and friend, both of whom
were by her, she was drawn into the vortex,
mangled and torn, her blood scattered over
the persons of those standing by, and was
only rescued when too late She was cut
loose as soon as the machinery could be stop
ped, and Immediately taken to her residence.
Medical aid was promptly afforded, but al
though the heart and larger arteries beat for
some fifteen moments, it was too late for their
skill to afford aid.
The shaft is an upright, about three inches
in diameter, making from two to three hun
dred revolutions per minute, and is enclosed
in brx about six inches square. Some ten
months siuce the south side of this boxing was
removed and had not been again replaced
As the ladies passed it, Mrs. Y. on the right
and Mrs. S. on the left, the lower right hand
corner Of the apron of The former was caught
and the consequences already narrated took
place.
The mill was running by water at the TING,
and was stepped as soon Mr.. Spayd, the
miller, could reach the gate and slut off the
power. Before this was accomplished. MI V
was thrown down in his efforts to rescue his
wife, and Mrs. S. was also struck down by the
swift revolving form of her friend The re-
mander of the case enclosing the shaft was,
of course, torn off by the first revolution.
The form Of the deceased was considerably
mutilatcd the right arm being broken almost
to jelley, and the left fractured both above
and below the elbow the back of the head
and neck much bruised by coming in contact
with the crane used for raising burrs, and the
upper portions Of the body received some Sc
we're contusons: The lower parts were but
slightly injured.
have thus given all epitomc of this horr-
BILE accident, but words fail to tell the anguish
oecasioned the loving husband who thus saw
his dearest earthly treasure crushed before his
eyes. To him and his three children words
cannot bring a cure for the grief which time
can only mitigate, not assuage In his. deep
affliction, the deepest sympathies of his neigh
boTs are with him.
Mrs. Van Fleet was one of our most uni
versally loved ladies, without an enemy in the
circle Of her acquaintance, and her kind and
atfable manners had endeared her to all who
CHANGED to know her. In the deep, full, and
true sense of the words she was lady,
mother, wife, sister. friend and chris
tian. Her loss win long be felt by the circle
in which she moved.
The funeral took place yesterday afternoon,
and large and imposing cortege followed her
to her silent tomb. The funeral discourse was
preached by Rev. T. II. Wilson from lst Cor
inthians, 18th Chapter, 26th verse. The
stores of the village were closed during the
services out of respect to the deceased.
Respectfully. W.