The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-16
A NARROW ESCAPE.
A Man Buried Beneath a Fall
ing Stump.
sNATCHED FROM DEATHS DOOR.
Several Men Fly From the Tumbling
Earth, But One Is Caught-Seriously
But Not Fatally Hurt.

John Drake, employed on the Belt Line at
Renton, had hair s-breadth escape from in
slant death Wednesday afternoon, about 5
o'clock, by large stump which fell thirty feet
and buried him beneath its mass of wood,
stones and dirt. As it was, large steam shovel
working at that point was smashed to pieces,
the woodwork splintered and the machine dis
abled for twelve hours.
Drake was tending the shovel, which was
tearing down an embankment over thirty feet
In height On the edge was an immense stump,
whose roots had been broken and disturbed
that the men expected it to fall every moment
The machinery would start and the big iron
scoop work its way through dirt and stones in
close proximity to the lettering stump. AS the
big mass wavered the men would jump back,
and as it still chung would return to their places
at the base OF the wall.
The shovel was moving when the foreman
saw the earth give way. He cried: run,
boys; she is coming" The men, six in num-
Der, made wild dash TO escape the avalanche
certain to follow. Down came the stump roots,
elinging dirt and stones. 1t struck the shovel,
smashing ii like glass. The heavy wooden arms
were splintered and the mass came down to the
ground with thud
The neeing men heard the cry, sMy God,
boys; save me-" and rushed back to the spot.
No trace OF the unfortunate victim
was seen. A shovel soon removed some
OF the dirt and the inanimate form
OF John Drake was discovered. He was
beneath the stumps and thought to be dead.
Hard work for fifteen minutes did the work, and
the crushed form was removed. He was picked
up and carried to the hotel at Renton.
dispatch was sent to Drs Carman and Wood
ruff, who were taken to the spot by special train
Arriving, the doctors were informed that the
man could not live. The doctors found, how
ever, that by most extraordinary and fortunate
circumstance, the stump had only partially
rested on his body. His whole system was
shaken badly, and the right leg had received
compound fracture in the upper third, between
the knee and ankle. The flesh along the thigh
was bruised and his chest lacerated. A piece of
root had struck just over the left eyeball and
within the socket. 1t did not penetrate straight
back, but followed the ball to the outer edge,
tearing up the flesh to the bone. At the edge it
shot across the temple barring the skull. The
condition of the man was deemed SO critical
that telegram was sent to his wife at Orting.
She arrived early d the morning and accom-
panied her huBl and to Providence hospital
Drake was visited at the hospital and found to
be much improved, but still suffering severe
pains from his eye and leg. DR.. E. H. Woodruff
said last night that the injuries were serious
but not fatal. His whole system has received
severe shock, but he has survived it and will
pull through. He has no internal injuries.
Drake was married ten days ago and went to
work two days after. Mrs. Drake expressed her.
self as very thankful that her husband had
escaped SO fortunately.