The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-06-01

Last Thursday afternoon dispatch was sent |
from Lima. o., to Mrs. Charles D. Hughes of this
city. stating that her husband was killed that
morning by falling derrick. The terrible intel
ligence proved to be true and home that
week ago was filed with happiness. is now desc
late and filled with the mourning of bereaved
wife and her fatherless children.
Last April Mr.. Hughes went out as foreman
of a gang of stonemasons on the line of the Chi
cago & Erie Railroad. for Fisher & Fisher, con-
tractors. At the time of the accident he and his
men were engaged in pulling out piles with
derrick. preparatory to repairing the abutments
of bridge just outside of Lima. Mr.. Hughes
was standing on the track a few feet away from
the commencement of the bridge. On the other
side of the bridge to his right stood the derrick
with its four guy ropes. one of which passed in
front of him to the left. While the engine was
tugging away at full power to pull out one of the
deeply imbedded piles the guy opposite the one
to his right broke, causing the derrick to fall
with terrible force toward the part of the track
on which the unfortunate man was standing, and
| Immediately to his right as he stood facing the
work. The guy to his left and front caught him
| in the right side with fearful force. and in an
| instant he was crushed to the earth, a ifeless
body of broken bones. Had he been standing a
foot farther removed either way. he would not
have been harmed. Those present say that death
must have resulted instantly, as one of his men
ran up to him Immediately, and found that his
heart had ceased to beat. There were four ribs
broken. and fearful wound made in the side.
which must necessarily have been instantly ia.
tai. His neck and right arm were not broken
as currently reported among his friends.
His remains were put on the cars for Ravenns
the same evening. arriving here the next morn
ing On Erie train s.
His funeral was held Sunday afternoon at 2:3(
O'Clock. from the Universalist Church. after q
brief service of prayer at the house. The dis
course was preached by the pastor. Rev, Andrew
Wilson. and the funeral conducted under tht
auspices of Ravenna Lodge of the Royal Area
mum, of which the deceased was a loved anG
honored member. His brethren attended in
body. The singing was furnished by the Lodge
male quartet. Floral offerings of beautiful Sc
lection and arrangement typifed the worth of 6
lfs that attracted all by its approach to tht
best qualities of humanity. Two broken column:
from Chester Fisher. one of his employers, and {
broken wheel from the family. were just en-
blems of strong, upright life brought to swift
and violent close in the midst of its beauty anC
usefulness. The other pieces were a large bou
) quet of lilies from the father and mother.
lovely bouquet of roses from Charles Babcock
) beautiful floral emblem of the Royal Arcanum
being an artistic formation of the letter &C..
and magnificent lot of choice cut flowers. sen
in by the little boy friends of his son Marcus.
The impressive services of the R. A. were con
; Quoted at Maple Grove Cemetery. whittier tn
form of the loved husband father and frient
were conveyed to their last resting place.
Charles D. Hughes was born in Edinburgh 4
years ago. Thirteen years ago he came to Ra
VIENNA and married Miss Mary Babcock. daugh
ter of Mr.. and Mrs. Albert Babcock. of Roots
to En. making this place his home ever since.
The widowed wife and mother has two chill
dren-Marcus. aged 12.and little Josephine age
6 years-to share with her the deep and dreadfu
sorrow.
Mr.. Hughes was man of strong character an
steadfast worth. His friends were in numbe
, with those who knew him. He was thorough
skilled in his business. and thoroughly respect
ed and liked by his men. In all his relations
life he carried out the purpose of honest heal
and kindly disposition. and while he made n
l profession of any dogmatic religion set sys
! tenn of church morals. his heart. habits and hi
tory. measured by the standard of truth, justic
loyalty and love. will shine as bright examp
of we'll lived life.