The Savannah morning news., 1902-08-12
FELL FROM WATER TOWER.
Capt. w. G. Austin's Narrow Escape
From Death at AvondaIe Range.

Capt. w. g. Austfn's Narrow Escape
From Death at AvondaIe Range.
Capt. w. G. Austin was the victim
of what narrowly missed being fatal
accident yesterday afternoon. At the
Avondale Rifle Range he fell from the
top of the water tower to the ground,
breaking an arm, three ribs and a
finger and sustaining serious injuries
to his back.
AS executive officer of the rife range
association, Capt. Austin has had
charge of the preparations for the in
terstate shoot, to take place this
month, and the improvements to the
range have been made under his di-
rection.
To give instructions 10 the force OF
workman employed he left the Bolton
street junction for the range at 3
o'clock in the afternoon and almost
Immediately upon reaching the grounds
climbed to the top of the water tower
row in process of construction. The
framework for the tank is mortised to-
gether and Capt. Austin had given in
lildI II SiiOulQ NC iAoAACo ~
give additional strength. Evidently
this instruction had not been carried
out.
Timber Suddenly Gave Way.
He was standing on the top of the
ladder. perhaps twenty-five feet from
the ground, when in order to climb
upon the superstructure he caught
hold of the uprights and attempted to
pull himself up. The timber gave way
with him and he was precipitated
| backwards to the ground.
AS he fell he threw out his arms
TO save himself, and in this manner
the fracture of the right arm and the
broken finger of the left hand were
caused. He fell upon his back, and
thus the sprain that brought most of
his suffering was produced. The heavy
piece of timber which he had pulled
from its place came topping after him
and landing upon his body crushed
three of the ribs on the right side.
Every injury caused intense agony.
A momentary Inconsistencies fol-
lowed the fall from the tower, but
from this Capt. Austin rallied suf-
fciently to call feeby for help, and the
members of the force employed at the
range hurried to his aid. He asked
them to- telephone into the city for
Capt. Fred w. Garden and a ply
stefan, and then, as the kindly but
rude attendants bore him from the
scene of the accident 20. the shelter
of one of the houses on the range,
again tainted.
Physician Hurried to Scene.
Mr.. Garden received the telephone
message at $3.50 o'clock and securing
DIR. st. J. B. Graham hurried to the
range. There Capt. Austin's imme-
date needs received attention and the
broken bones were set. AS soon as
might be he was placed in the police
ambulance and brought to the city,
and taken to his home, No 406 Gwin-
nett street, west.
DIR. Graham made as complete an in
vestigation of the nature of Capt. Aus
tins wounds as the latters intense suf-
fering permitted, and as far as he
could learn. there are no internal in
juries. The fractures, while painful
and serious of their kind, it is hoped
will soon mend.
The accident to Capt. Austin is a SER
ious blow to the interstate shoot, to-
wards the success of which he was con-
tributing much, working for 1t with all
mind. He will not be able either to
! take part in the shoot, and in this
manner will deprive the Guards team
of one of its ablest members.
Last night Capt. Austin was resting
| quietly and his general condition was
all that could be hoped.