The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-08
CRUSHED BY A ROCKING BEAM.
FIRED RUHL FATALLY INJURED AT
THE CITY WATERWORKS.

His Head Caught in the POnderOus
Machinery and His skull Crushed.
Unable to Speak But Rode to Ills
Home In a Wagon and street Car.
Then became Unconscious and
Died.
fatal accident occurred yesterday at
the city water works, resulting in the
death of Fred Ruhl, an oiler Ruhl's
head was caught between the cross head
ana rocking beam of one Of the big en-
gines, just at the moment of the extreme
end of the piston stroke, which brings the
two pieces Of machinery close together,
and was terribly crushed.
How Ruhl came to place himself in
this dangerous position viii never be
known. 1t was probably done in a mo-
ment Of thoughtlessness, when, interested
in something about the machinery. he
thrust his head in too far and failed to
withdraw it in time.
Although his skull was crushed in, Ruhl
did not lose consciousness. Engineer Nal
lette was showing a couple of visitors
through the engine room. He noticed that
something was wrong with RuhI. and go
ing to him, found the blood trickling down
his face and neck. He inquired what the
trouble was. Ruhl could not speak, but
pointed to the machinery, indicating that
his head had been caught between the
beam and cross-head.
Mr.. Mallette did not appreciate the Sc
rious nature Of the accident at the time,
but sent Ruhl to his home at Gordon and
Price streets, in charge Of one of the col
ored employees, a wagon being used to
transport him to the street car line on
Cemetery street. Superintendent Lotion
was not at the works, and did not learn
Of the accident until some time later.
On arriving at his home at Gordon and
Price streets, where he lives, with his I'm.
Gle, Mr.. Daniel Elliott, DR.. A b. Sim
mons was sent for. Seeing the serious
condition Of the case, DR.. Simmons called
in Or. NJ. F. Dunn. The two physicians
devoted their time TO the wounded man
during the day and last night. After
reaching home Ruhl became unconscious
In fact. it is wonderful that he did not
lose consciousness at once. The cross
head and the rocking beam, two power
full pieces Of machinery, approach within
three inches of each other at the end Of
the stroke. The skull was crushed out OF
shape and the brain became necessarily
displaced TO some extent.
Ruhl has been In the employ of the
water works about three years, and was
Wen liked by the superintendent and mis-
fellow employees. Supt Lotion said he
could not understand how he managed TO
get his head in the position to receive
such an injury. There was no necessity
FOR him to do so, and he was undoubtedly
fully aware of the danger. Something
about the machinery probably attracted
his attention, causing him to thrust his
head forward before he had time TO think.
Before he could draw back, his head was
caught by the heavy machinery This il
the hrst accident which has occurred G,
the water works in years. Ruhl died al
1915 o'clock this morning. Mr.. E. J. Ruhl
OF Macon. father of the wounded man.
has been telegraphed for.
Young Ruhl was emploved IN
the Morning News office, previous to his
employment at the water works. He
leaves wife, the daughter Of JusNce
Waring Russell, Jr.