The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-21
CAUGHT IN THE SHAFT.
Lewis Bristow Meets Beath in a Hor-
rible Manner This Morning.
LITERALLY GROUND INTO PULP.
The Engineer mt the Providence Steam
Launday Wound Up .,nthe shafting and
Kiiled--A similar Accident Five Years
Ago at This Establishment.

Lewis w. Bristow, engineer at the
Providence Steam Laundry, lO6 Hospital
street, was caught in the shafting at the
laundry this morning and killed. Bris-
tow was young man, scarcely 2S years of
age aud had a wife and one child. He has
been employed at the laundry about ten
years and was in general charge of the
whole establishment. His duties con-
sisted Of running the engine and in look
ing after various bearings and shafts, and
with this he combined general oversight
OF the establishment.
Early this morning Bristow, as usual,
came into the shop and performed his
multifarious duties before the regular time
for starting up. Shortly after O'Clock he
started on his regular rounds and had
passed over the shop when he was attrac-
ted by hot bearing on the main shaft in
the basement. In his attempt to reach the
bearing he stood on a tier Of oil barrels
and in some way his coat sleeve became
entangled in the rapidly revolving shaft.
In moment the unfortunate man was
drawn around the shaft and whirled
around with terrific rapidity
The noise MADE by Bristow's feet and
legs striking the floor above attracted the
attention OF "a workman. james McManus,
who hastened into the basement. The
sight which greeted him was enough TO
sicken the heart of brave man, and for
one moment McManus stood as though
petrified with horror. He soon recovered
his presence of mind and shouted to fell
low workman, Joseph Barnard, to stop
the engine All this time the unfortu-
nate Bristow was being whirled around
the shaft, his feet, legs, head and arms
striking the ceiling at every revolution
As soon as the machinery was stopped
an effort was made 10 disentangle the
man from the shaft and during the opera
tion Bristow give directions in "a feeble
voice. At length the man was removed
from the. snaft and laid carefully on the
floor. Tie was exceedingly weak and
seemed to be suffering great pain. The
hospital authorities were notified and the
ambulance was at once dispatched to the
shop, but previous 10 its arrival the man
died. He was conscious TO the last and
kept his sutTerings well under control.
Medical Examiner keele was notified
and after viewing the body, gave permis-
sion TO remove it. Undertaken Knowles
took charge of the remains and will pre-
pare them for burial. An examination of
the body showed that both legs were
broken in several places, and the arms
and back were also fractured. On the
head were several ugly contusions result
ing from the contact with the floor above.
All work was at once stopped in the
establishments and crowds OF terrified
work girls stood around, gazing in horror
upon the PROSTATE lifeless form OF the
engineer.
The accident this morning is the second
of fatal nature which has occurred in
this shop Five years ago last month the
owner of the laundry. man named
Smith, fell into the huge fly wheel in the
basement, and was literally hacked to
pieces. Since then Bristow has been in
charge.
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