The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-26
, OLNEYVILLE.
Live Wire Results in Two
Deaths.
Family of the Victims to Seek
Redress in Court.
Town Solicitor TillinghaSt of Johns
ton Explains His Position.
THE NEWS BUREAU, OLNEyvILLr.
No Hartford AyeuuA.


Jesse Tacey and his son, Jesse q. Tacey.
were electrocuted shortly after o'clock
Tuesday afternoon in front Of their house. on
tho Plainfeld pike, about half mile from
the village OF Thornton.
A telephone or telegraph wire dangling
over the front gate from the pole that carries
a number OF lines along this highway was tho
cause OF the death of the two men, IL having
become "a live wire by reason Of coming In
contact with the electric wires which furnish
power Ialong Thornton avenue, few rods
beyond. Tho father attempted to haul the
innocent appearing wire down. He seized
tho wire with both hands. and was unable to
Lot 60. In "a moment he fell dead before his
wife and two sons, who were in the yard
with him nt the time.
As he fell, his son Jesse, unconscious of the
death lurking in the wire entangled about his
father, seized the wire to relieve his father
from his sad plight not realizing at the iso'
ment that his father was already dead. In
en- instant he was lying with his father in
death. Mrs. Tacey and the younger son.
John, were stricken with grief at what had
occurred, and only by the presence of mind
Of the son was his mother kept away from
the wire, which was still capable OF transmit
contact with it, IL was nearly an hour after
the accident that tho news reached the
square. and then Drs. J. T. Farrell and Walter
J. Sinith were called, but life was extinct long
before their arrival, and, in their opinion. had
occurred instantly. Medical Examiner
O'Keefe was called, and an inquest ordered
TO determine who was responsible for the wire
that caused their death.
Jesse Tacey was SO years of age, and leaves
a widow and four children. the oldest l5
years of age. Jesse G. Tacey was "a years Of
age, and was married.
Suits for damages are to be instituted as
soon as il is demonstrated who is likely to be
held responsible. whether the telephone, the
electrio. light company or the town.
COUNCIL MEETING.
special session Of the Johnston Town
Council was held at 2:30 yesterday afternoon
to consider the matter Of employing counsel
in the suit against the town, brought by tho
British Hosiery Company for a rebate OF tax.
Town Solicitor Tillingha who has been
accused of acting in n double capacity as
counsel for the British Hosiery Company and
the town was present. and explained his posi-
tion 10 the satisfaction of the board.
He stated "that he was not now. and never
had beep counsel for that company regarding
! their taxes"
He stated further that he was perfectly
willing that the Council should employ an
other attorney in the pending suit, If they
choose TO do so.
II was voted to have Mr.. Tillinghast answer
the case next Monday. l. is supposed that
the hearing will be continued until decision
in:the East Providence case heard last Mon
day is rendered.
An Adjournment was taken until next Tues
DAY evening at o'clock, at which time the
rev ordinances will be acted upon.
The Johnston improvement Association
will meet at the engine house at o'clock this
evening.
Hose IL was called Mt 7 80 o'clock this morn
ing to extinguish a chimney fire in the house
OF Andrew Costello, IS Handy street
The explosion Of a lamp caused a slight fire
the tenement of James Leyzes, "a Turney
street, at 10 80 last night,