Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-08-06
RECEIVED A FATAL SHOCK
Fell Backward and Reclined Writing
and Moaning in Hid-air.
THE BODY LOWERED WITH ROPES
Many Citizens Attracted to the
Spot.

William H. Sheward, a trusted en-
ploye Of the Wilmington City Electric
Co., met an awful death shortly before
4 10 o'clock yesterday morning. With Mat
( thew Mckinslay ana James Gray. all
4 linemen. he was employed in repairing
wires on Orange street, and he and
Gray had assembled the pole at the
southwest corner of Sixth and, Orange
streets, where there is a network Of
wires. The men had been on the pole
among the wires for short, time when
Steward was seen 10 fall backward
across two wires. At the same time he
cried out as II in agony. People who
heard the noise from below looked up
and saw the Unfortunate man writhing
and heard him moaning. He appeared
to be in terrible agony, and had ii not
been for the network of wires it is
likely that he would have dropped to
the ground. After struggling for few
seconds he hung limp across two wires,
which passed under his arms, and il
was thought he was dead. at
As soon as Gray saw Stewards con
dition he reached for him and catch
Il ing him by the collar lifted him from
the wires and held him, while another
lineman ran to the station and gave the
alarm, after which the machinery was
stopped in order to cut off the current
and the work Of extricating the unfor-
tunate man was commenced. A block
and tackle was procured. and after a
rope was placed around the young
mans body, under the arms, he was
lowered to one of the ccmpany's g
wagons, in which he was taken to the
Delaware Hospital. DR. Pierce, who
had been summoned, was on the scene
by the time Steward was placed in the
wagon, and after hasty examination
he stated that there was still some life.
although to the crowd of people
gathered about life appeared to be ex-
tinct. Death came Just as the hospital
4 was reached. ~ .trr
The body was removed to the home
Of the deceased, No. 1928 Jefferson
: street, by the direction of Coroner
Stidham, who is making an investiga-
tion.
At the hospital an examination was
made and it was found that thg body
had been pretty badly burned, which
was evidently caused by the wires with
which Steward came in contact. Just
how he received the first shork could
not be ascertained, and Manager G. r.
Trump. who was on the scene imme-
diately after the accident happened.
stated that he thought Steward was
victim Of the heat. Others who saw
the accident stated that the unfor.
tunate man was shocked, after which
he fell against the wires. Manager
Trump stated that the wires we're OF
low tension, being charged with only
go volts each, and in his opinion could
not have caused shock,
As soon as it became known that a
man was apparently dead at the top of
the pole, large crowd of people gath
cred about and witnessed the pitiful
sight AS the body was lowered to the
ground all thought that life was ex-
tnct. Those who saw Steward strug-
Cling say that 1t was awful to behold.
Sheward was about &c years of age
and was one of the most prominent
bicycle racing men in the State, be
being one of the latest additions to the
professional ranks. He was known
among wneelmen all over the East, and
was liked by ALL He was member OF
the Wilmington Bicycle Club, and on
account of his death therun which was
called for last evening has been de-
clared off by Capt. Kirk. who has also
announced that there will be no trials
ior tne branuyWlne Summit record
until aftor the funeral.
Deceased leaves wife and one young
Child. The wife was overcome by griei
when the sad news was conveyed IL
her yesterday morning. As soon as the
accident happened Frank A.. Mitchell
notified relatives, who are at Brandy.
wine Summit camp.
While the machinery was stopped al
the electric light station electrical ap.
paratus all over the city, which derive
its power from the works OF the com
pany was at stsndstill, oven the tee-
phone exchange being crippled. The
cessation lasted for about 10 minutes,
and the news spread rapidly, as persons
who were using the current made in,
quiry as to the cause of tine trouble
COURTS IN SESSION.