The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-23

james Maginnis, aged twcnty-siX years,
employed at the Crystal Palace saloon rs
barkoeper, met terrible death last night
About 9;l5 o'clock Maginnis and two COM
panions, Charles Arandt and Hugh Bren.
men, started from their clearinghouse,
No, Poplar street, TO tho Chesapeake Il
Ohio depot to see some friends of.
At the corner OF Poplar and Front
streets Bremen, who was walking few
feet behind his friends, stepped on an
electric light wire, which was fully charged
and left lying in the street.
With a cry of pain Bremen fell TO the
ground, but, realizing his danger threw
himself 10 one side and rolled over to a
place of safety.
Hardly had he gotten upon his feet
when Acknowledgment on the wire lie
gave u shrek OF pain and was about TO
drop, when Arandt reached out and
caught him by the arm.
In doing SO Amndt was severely burned
on the hand by the current OF electricity
which had passed through his friends
body.
Realizing his own danger, Arandt re-
leased his hold, and Maginnis icll to the
ground dead.
DR.. Williamson was soon upon the
scene, but glance convinced him that the
man was beyond the reach of medical aid.
The body was tcndcrly lifted and carried
| TO room on the second floor of No. .
Poplar street.
Chief Davis stationed himself at the
door and kept back the large crowd which
| gathered around there Os soon as the tragic
occurrence became known,
Squire John j. Barry was summoned
and impanolleda jury OF inquest composed
| OF the following named persons: Scrgt, T..
| +. Homn, foreman; Z. V. Sayago, j. w.
Richards, John J. Cooncy, Thomas J.
/ Winters, Charles Dux and 7. J. Mcllalc.
The jury, after hearing the testimony OF
! Charles Arandt, Hugh Bremen and Mike
! Madden, which was in accordance with
| the foregoing, returned verdict that de
ceased came to his death by coming In
contact with an electric light wire left ON
the street 10y the Brush Electric Light
company, and recommending that the re-
/ sponsiblc party bc arrested iur criminal
Carclossncss Squire Barry, in accordance
| with the verdict, issued q warrant luf the
arrest OF liaphcl Scmmcs, manager Of the
company.
Mr.. Semmcs Is ont Of the city At present
I and the warrant was served on Mr.. ). L.
/ tsrncs, president Of the COMPANY Ms.
Games gave bond In The sum OF 5000 for
his appearance before Squire Barry CA
| Monday.
Mr.. Robert Moran, superintendent a
the fire alarm system, stated tp gl Arpr 49,
reporter last night after the inquest that
the electric light company WIS not wholly
90 blame for the young mans death. lie
SAYS ne made an examination Of the wires
and found that wire OF the telephone
company had crossed the electric light
wire Ia three different places, and that the
latter wire did the fatal work.
Migiuuis came here twelve years ngt
from Huntingdon, y. Y, whore his father
and two sisters reside. A telegram mott
fyiug the family Of the sad accident wa
sent last night, but 10 latest accounts ~
reply hal been made.
Mom. WIRE ACCIDENTS.
In addition 30 the fatal accident above ~
corded there were Othcr evidences tia
unbotilcd lightning was abroad. TIL
compress cOmpany's telegraph wire, IN th
basement ui the Cotton exchange building
caught fire at @ O'Clock pm, and shg
forth blaze that nearly burned Out th
eyes Of the operator, :. J. King. Tho win
I began 10 burn like finder until MI kIug
. scixing halchet, cut the wire Ia two un'
interrupted the circuit
la iront Of the store Of Goldsmith BrUs
there Is an awning suspended from nl
p iron roll connecting with gn iron gmiin
j In front of the door. Early last night
lady about to enter received shock an
} | y,ns thrDwn down with violence. tpll
smith came ont to see what WIS the mat
ter and down he went Then bali dozr
clerk. came 20 the rescue aud down the
went all In heap. The electric wirc }
front OF Pngo Il Malaicsia's saloon also ha
a little fun 10 itself, tripping up people d
they passed by. A doz,n or two fell fla
and some got ~ mad ~ blazcs, thinking
was a put ~ job. They were no less u
dignant when they heard the real cause Z
tho trouble.