Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1902-04-18
Big BRICK DOME FALLS In.
y. w. T.. johnson Killed and
Five Men Escape a Like Fate
as Though by Miracle.
INJURED ONES IMPROVING
The Community Greatly Giieved-
Capt. ]. F. Bellows In Baltimore
ut the Time.

Bellows s. Squires' factory on Dymer's
Creek, three miles from White Stone,
Lancaster county, was the scene of one
OF the worst accidents on Tuesday af-
ternoon that has ever visited our county,
and as result j. w. f. johnson lies
cold In death, 5. T. Bassett has three
ribs broken and other injuries, J. b.
Harper has leg broken in two places
near ankle, Peter Henderson has numer-
Gus cuts and wounds and Levin t. Buck
three cuts on head.
For some weeks past numbers Of men
have been employed at this plant making
improvements preparatory to the spring
season, one OF the improvements being
the erection of large air room aud
chimney at the end of the three i'm.
mense dryers. 1t was in this room where
the catastrophe occurred. The dimen-
sioDs of this room were about 20x2O.
The walls were 20 feet high and OF solid
brick, strengthened by large iron bars
within the brick work. From the top of
these walls was built brick roof In the
shape OF dome, estimated to weigh
twenty tons. The work was about COM
pleted and the men named above, with
the addition of Charles Davis, who es-
capped unhurt by jumping head foremost
through small opening, were knocking
away the scaffolding from the inside
when they were entomoed by the twenty
tons of brick and iron falling distance
of 25 feet. The fall was withou. warn
ing and the men were caught entirely
unawares. The planks composing the
scaffolding and the large iron rods were
broken and twisted as though mere
shingles, and to those who viewed the
scene after the accident Il appeared a
miracle that all who were in the room
were not killed instantly.
The falling of this huge pile of brick
attracted the other workmen and the
men were quickly gotten out Mr.. John
sou was dead when found aud the others
were taken TO nearby building and
Drs. Newbill, Hubbard and Treakle i'm
mediately telephoned for. These quickly
arrived and dressed the wounds of the
injured ones.
Capt. j. F. Bellows was ia Baltimore
at the time on business. Capt. George p
Squires, however, was present and did
everything that could be done. Rela-
tives of Mr.. johnson were notified and
the wounded ones taken home on stretch
ers two hours after the accident oc-
Cured.
Messrs. Bellows & Squires are grieved
beyond expression, as 1t is we'll known
that these gentlemen have the welfare of
their men at heart above all else, but
such accidents will sometimes occur
despite the greatest precaution. The
firm at once notified the doctors that all
bills were to be sent to them, and every
thing possible is being done for the
wounded men, who, as we go to press,
are said to be doing nicely.
MR.. JOHNSON BURIED.
The burial of Mr.. j. w. F. johnson
took place on Wednesday afternoon at
3 o'clock in the White Stone Methodist
cemetery, Rev. G. r. James conducting
the services,and one of the largest crowds
ever seen at q funeral In this county
being present to pay their last respests
to the departed brother. Mr.. johnson
was member of Kilmarnock Council,
Jr. o. U. A. NJ, and large numbers of
Juniors were present and assisted In the
burial services.
The deceased was member OF White
Stone Methodist church and leaves, be-
sides a host of friends, a widow, three
brothers and one sister.