Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-01-15
BODY IS CUT IN TWAIN
HORRIBLE ACCIDENT AT MOSINEE
Austin Ferguson the Victim Wednesday-He
was Son OF Mrs. R. Ferguson OF
this City.

Austin Ferguson, of Mosinee. was
instantly killed last Wednesday even
ing while at work in Brehmer &
SalZman'S new Saw-mill near Rib Hill.
where he was employed as head sawyer.
The accident was one of the most
horrible that has ever occurred in d
SaW-mill in this section of the state.
The accident occurred about eight
O'Clock. Ferguson had just finished
saving log and had 'gigged" the
carriage back for another. The first
log ON the roll-wav happened to be a
long butt log, which protruded
over the end of the rollway to such an
eXfs ut as to almost touch the sawyer,
VINO stood facing the saw and with
his back to the rollway. Ferguson
appears to have been aware of the log
hanging over the rollway end and had
stepped forward far enough to allow
1T to pass by with out touching him.
Unfortunately, he failed to notice that
several long "SliverS" protruded from
the butt, and as the log rolled by him,
these struck and catching in his
clothing forced him over towards the
fast revolving saw. During the
whole time he retained hold Of the
lever that operates the carriage and
in his efforts to escape the log dis
turbed the lever enough to start the
carriage forward. How it all occurred
no one knows definitely as the other
men were all busy doing their part Of
the work. Seeing the carriage scarf
| before the log was fastened on they
naturally glanced at the sawyer and
were hOrritied to see him lying across
| the carriage and being carried toward
the great saw, then but foot or two
away. BefOre.they could speak or cry
out, the glittering band Of steel had
| torn through Ferguson's body, sever
| ing both legs and one arm. The
doomed man made no Outcry and so
far as anyone present could judge was
dead even before those who saw the
accident could get to his side.
Coroner Kitzke was at once notified
and drove over to the mill. After
hearing an account Of the accident he
| decided that no inquest was necessary
| and the remains were removed to
Ritter s. DeutSch'S morgue. where
they were prepared for burial. On
Thursday, Louis LaMere, of MoSinee,
| a brother-in-law of the deceased,
arrived here and the same evening
took the remains back to Mosinee for
interment.
Ferguson had been employed at the
Brehmer & SalZman mill only eight
days, having come there from Mosi-
nee. where in the summer months he
had been employed in the Dessert
mill. He was quiet, industrious
young man and was we'll thought Of
both by his fellow workers and his
employers. He was only 32 years of
age and came to Mosinee from Grand
Ra pids, some fifteen or sixteen years
ago He was married and leaves a
widow and five children, ranging in
age from eigh' years to nine months.
He was member of the Odd Fellows.
Modern Woodmen and E. f. o.. and
carried life insurance to the amount
! of $5 5,O00.--Wausau Central Wisconsin.
Austin Ferguson was the Oldest son
Of Mrs. r. Ferguson who resides in
this city. He was an exemplary young
man and leaves many relatives and
friends in this city who mourn his
untimely taking off. The funeral
service was held at the M. E. church
in Mosinee, Sunday afternoon, January
! H.. Mrs. r. Ferguson, his mother,
and son Bion, and Mr.. and Mrs.
joseph Bogoger attended the funeral.
Troy Ferguson, of Tower, Minnesota,
was also present at the funeral.