Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-02-12
HAPS AND MISHAPS.

"A two-cent piece was taken from the
throat of boy in Portland, Maine, recent
ly, after having been lodged there for six
months.
The inhabitants of Quebec were re-
Gently visibly shaken up by an earth
quake, while the thermometer was twenty
degrees below zero.
"A cOal-shed in South Boston fell
lately, in consequence Of the weight of
snow upon it, killing two men and seri-
ously wounding two others.
Not long ago, in Brooklyn, n. Y,
Peter Van Pelt, aged sixty five, deliber-
ately sat naked on a red-hot stove until
roasted to death. He was crazy.
The residence of Joseph King, near
I1deOut, Pa, was destroyed by fire short
time ago. Mr.. King, who had just re-
tlred, was unable to escape, and persisted
IN the flames.
"A frightful accident recently occurred
IN the village of Wausau, Wisconsin,
caused by the explosion of boiler in
saw mill. Three men were killed and
four seriously injured.
On recent Saturday a man named
Fogue, at Monroe, Mich, broke his leg.
A German doctor was called, and admin
1stered chlOrofOrm until Fogue, under its
influence, went into sleep and died.
"A few nights ago brakeman on the
Wisconsin Central Road, named James
Larkin, was caught between two cars,
while coupling at Fredonia, and horribly
crushed about the head, producing instant
death.
The Gallon accommodation train, in
backing out of the Union Depot at Cleve-
land the other afternoon, ran over Charles
Hitchcock, the depot master, and his
father, who we're standing on the track
talking together. The former was in
stantly killed and the latter had his hand
cut off.
Two sons of Mitchell Hoffman, of
Indianapolis, were playing with a pistol
the other evening, when one, about twelve
years of age, pointed it at the younger, a
lad six years of age, and snapped it. The
pistol was loaded, and the ball lodged in
the back of the young lad, inf1icting a ia
tai wound.
John Shields, proprietor of the boiler
works at Peoria, and one of the Aldermen
OF that city, was killed recently in most
horrible manner. He was experimenting
the boiler test in the yard connected with
the shops, when an explosion took place,
almost completely demolishing the build
ings and carrying Mr.. Shields about one
hundred feet across the yard, through
lumber piles breaking his body into a
mass of splinters and flesh, and lodging
1t against and abreast of pile of boards.
"A terrible accident happened in Mon
roe, Mich, lately, to German boy named
Fred. Kenner, aged fourteen years, en-
ployed in tannery. He was intently en-
gagged in his work when his clothes in
some manner became entangled in the
machinery. He cried for assistance, the
engine was stopped as soon as possible,
his body removed and upon examination
it was discovered that his skull was
crushed in seven places. At nearly every
revolution of large wheel his head came
IN contact with pointed iron which in
t1icted the above named injuries. At last
account he was still alive, but ne hopes
were entertained of his recovery.
"A few evenings ago, at dancing
party held in the neighborhood of Nash
vile, Tenn, Joseph Briley, seventeen
years old, while standing on the floor with
his partner, was shot through the heart
and instantly killed by Robert Bates.
The difficulty arose as to which of the
young men should dance with certain
lady in that set They agreed to leave the
question to her decision. She decided in
favor of Briley. Bates procured another
partner, and just before commencing the
dance left her, remarking that he would
return in half minute, which he did,
having in his hand Colts navy revolver
Remarking, "Look here, [ am going to
shoot; | am going to kill somebody" he
Immediately fired, saying, Everybody
stand back. The first one that lays hands
on me | will serve in the same way" and
made his escape.
"A young lawyer of Union (Mo) was
recently accidentally killed by a negro in
that place, under the following circum-
stances: johnson, colored man, hurled
an ak at a German with whom he was
having a quarrel. The latter saw the
missile coming and jumped aside in
time to save his own life, but un-
fortunately not that of the young man
who happened to be passing by on the
way to his law office. The murderous
implement sped past its intended victim
with swinging motion, flying clear
across the street until it reached the law
yer, where it buried its sharpened edge in
his throat, entering on the right side and
almost severing the head from the body.
In two minutes from the time of the
stroke the young man was corpse. An
other point of sorrow connected with the
affair, giving it stronger emphasis, was
the death of the young mans aged and
enfeebled grandmother, who only sur
vived the news of the catastrophe thirty
six hours, an0 the twain were buried in
the same grave.