The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-12-16
killed by a Failing Tree.

Sudden and sad was the death of Joseph R.
Torpey last Thursday morning. lie was instant
| ly killed by falling limb of tree which he and
his brother-in law, Eugene BoSworth. had just
cut from its stump. He left home in the energy
of young manhood. and in less than two hours
from the time he bade his wi and little boy
good bye. his spirit had taken its flight.
About one month ago Joe.as he familiatly
called. touk his family. consisting of wife and
little three year old boy. and settled upon the
Bradley farm, located about two miles from this
city. on the county house road. Until that time
he had been employed as laster in the Jordan
4 Goodrich shoe factory. being among the first
to enter the service of that company. But he
always had strong liking for farm life. Joined
with love of natare and the freedom of a rural
life.was the advantage resulting to constitution
never of the most robust cast. from existence in
the health giving country; and he eagerly avail
ed himself of the opportunity that enabled him
to adopt the life of his ideal happiness. By
economy and industry. the little family had ac-
cumulated sufficient means to give them a very
comfortable start in their new sphere. and were
buoyed with bright hopes for the future
which promised them happy realizations, But
like a thunderbolt from a cloudless sky came the
terrible visitation of that fatal Thursday morn
ing, and the fond wife was in moment, without
any warning. plunged into the deep sorrow of
widowhood. and the happy. inn ocenC child de-
prived of fathers care and protection.
In company with his brother law, he enter
ed. that morning, small piece of scattered tim
Der on the Beman farm. something over a mile
south from his home, to cut some wood for Mrs.
Beman. They selected a tree suitable for the
purpose. and in short time it gave way to the
blows of their axes. and they stepped back as
they heard it creak and saw it trembling in the
balance. The next moment with mighty force
it rushed to the ground. All would have been
well had it not been that the tree in falling came
in contact with the top of another tree. and the
force of the. contact broke off limb of the de-
scending tree. which was forced from its trunk
and thrown backward far enough so that in de-
scending it came down over the spot where the
two choppers were standing. Before either of
them realized their danger. it came crushing
down. and moment later struck poor Torpey on
the head. killing him almost instantly. He new
er spoke or showed any signs of consciousness
after being struck. and after few gasps.was still
forever.
Word was at once dispatched to his wife. who |
went to the place of the accident as soon as pos
sible. and the agony of the poor heart can per- |
haps be imagined, but never told. Word was al |
SO sent to his father. R. j. Torpey. of this city,
who procured physician and fastened to his !
son. not knowing the dreadful truth. for that in
kindness had not been told him. or it may be
that the messenger did not realize the sad fact
himself. But what language can portray the
terrible shock and grief of the mother. whose
first intimation that anything wrong with |
her son was 4he words. - Joe is dead"
But we draw veil over the sad scene. for the |
hearts that sorrow best alone with their grief
Joseph RichBrd Torpey was born in Ravenna |
January 7th. 1864. and with slight exceptions /
spent his life in this town. About four years ago /
be married Miss Julia Spellman. of Kent. who.
with their little boy. survive him. they having
buried an infant son in the Fall of 1890.
His funeral was held Saturday at o'clock.
from his fathers residence, Rev. James A. Hol-
ingshead delivering the discourse.