Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1886-09-11
4 cHAPIFR or ACCIDENTS.


wss at work on the foundation for the Gar
field University. Mr.. J. N. Campbell, the
contractor, had made him foreman Of the
detachment Of men who were at work. Ee
was trying to move stone and was paying
strict attention to his work while some of
the hands were raising another by means OF
the derrick. When they had succeeded in
raising it some distance from the ground the
guy opposite Afr. johnson gave way which
allowed the derrick to fall. He was at that
moment bent over and did not see his danger.
The main piece of the derrick struck him on
the back crushing him to the ground. His
forehead struch the corner of a rock infiict-
ing q hideous wound. The bone above
the eyes was broken into number OF
pieces. The derrick, falling upon his back,
broke some of his ribs
Immediately after the accident occurred
he was carried to his room in the Kelsch
brick building on the West side. Drs. Old
ham, Fabrique and Brooks were called. 1t
was decided to remove the pieces of broken
bono from his forehead, and although the
operation was intensely painful to the un-
fortunate fellow he persistently refused to
allow morphine to be administered, but en-
dured the pain with Spartan courage. He
was perfectly conscious Of his condition and
allowed his hands to lay by his side while the
instruments were applied. He endured the
pain without flinching or raising hand.
While the severe operation was being per-
formed the few spectators seemed more af-
fected than himself.
The full extent of his injuries cannot
yet be determined. He may have
sustained some internal injuries that may
prove of serious character Those that are
apparent seem fully sufficient to kill the aver
age man, but with the grit he displays he
may be able to pull through if they are all
He is a Sweden, about twenty-five years
old, and has been in this city near two years.
He is pronounced first-class workman and
has distinguished himself since he came here
by his untiring industry.
Some think that q little attention or care
on the part of the workmen would have pre-
vented the accident. While most Of them
saw the derrick falling in the direction of
johnson no one seemed interested enough, or
thought to let him know his danger until it
was too late. He was warned the moment
before it struck. him but had not
time to scarcely move q muscle until he was
hit.
This is the first accident worthy Of the
name that has happened to any one working
in that place. Mr.. Campbell has always
taken great pains to see that everything was
in good condition, and has repeatedly warned
his men to be careful The derrick had been
used but a short time and about twenty min
utes before the accident Mr.. Campbell had
left the men with instructions to watch the
derrick, as it was yet untried. One of the
employees stated that the stake to which the
guy that gave way was attached was not
driven into the ground over one foot
Yesterday morning Mr.. Bodine, who is
employed in Coleman's machine shop on
West Douglas avenue, met with serious
accident. He was struck above the left eye
with an iron shaft. He was taken to his
homo on the West Side and DR.. Fisher sum-
moned. His wound wos pronounced a seri-
GUS one. The bone was fractured and the
injurd is of such nature that it is feared
that it may prove moreserious than it threat
ems.
Mr.. B. H. Downing, the contractor, who
is building q house for MIR. Campbell on
North Emporia avenue, met with quite a SER
ious accident yesterday. He was at work on
the building and lost his balance, falling near
twenty feet, struck on some timbers. For
tunately no bones were broken but he re
ceived some serious flesh wounds.
THE BUlLDEKS.
Still the building goes on The structures
already commenced are being pushed rapid
" towards completion, while the different
architects of the city are kept busy design
ing other new and as fine business blocks OF
houses
The Hacker & jackson magnificent block
ON East Douglas avenue, has reached its third
story, but the Oliver building, on the other
side of the Exton block, has hardly yet got
ten well under Roadway.