Sistersville daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1902-1905, 1903-05-07
FRIGHTFUL FATALITY.
Manual Richney. Well Known OH Pro
ducer, Accidentally Killed.

manual II. NlCuuey, We'll kuO"u
local oil producer, was shockingly
mangled and instantly killed on
the Fee Farm, between Shafer and
Charley Runs. Shortly before 9
o'clock on Monday forenoon. His
oil property adjoius the Fee farm,
which Is owned and operated by
S.Y Ramage, OF this city. About
8 O'Clock on Monday morning Mr..
Richney came to the power house
to sharpen an axe. J. E. Mcdowell,
who has charge of the lease, and
T. I. Smythe, gauger for the
National Tran sit company, were In
the power house, and the three
passed a short time In CONVEX =
sation. The building Is devlded by
partition. ID the front Is a IS
horse power gas engine and In the
rear the power wheel and shafting.
A little In front of the wheel IS
grindstone. This Is turned by a
four inch belt, connecting 1t with
the shaft Of the power wheel. Be.
tween the power wheel and the
pulley of the sbafting Is space Of
not more than two feet.
The unfortunate man filled a
bucket with water and was about
to 60 into the rear portion OF the
power house when he turned his
head and with a laugh said to Nc
Dowell: "Smlthy Is getting grey
In the mustache since he became a
grandfather" The other two men
continued their conversation and
were leaning against the frame Of
the door of the building. Mr..
Smythe turned and saw Mr.. Rich
ey whirllng In the air and ran to
him with cry. Mr.. Mcdowell at
once shut down the engine and
followed. The small belt of tie
grindstone had twisted In half
hitch around Mr.. Richey's lett
foot and dragged him to the shaft
Ing, and, after whirllng him around
In the air had palled him into the
two foot space between the power
wheel, which Is a large cogged
affair, and the pulley wheel of the
shafttng. 1t was necessary to cut
the betting from his foot and also
to cut away porto rs of the unfor-
tunate mans clothing. He was
dead before Mr.Smythe had reached
him, the entire left half of his head
having been broken In. His left
shoulder and left ankle were both
torn out of their sockets, and the
large bone of the thigh was broken
a short distance below the groin
and the jagged end rrotruded
through the flesh and skin. The
axe was standing against the par
tition and the bucket of water was
sitting on the floor. 1t was evident
that Mr.. Rlchey for id the belt was
not connected with the grindstone
and was slipping 1t into place when
1t fell and caught him by the foot.
The other end was around the
shaft; which was being turned by
the IS horse power gas engine, and
nothing could save him.
Mr.. Smythe brought information
of the accident to OH City and Nc
Cracker & Koch took charge of
the body and prepared 1t for burial
at their undertaking rooms, the
body being removed In the after
noon to the home of the deceased
on Petroleum street.
The deceased Is we'll known and
has hosts of friends throughout
this portion of Venango county.
He was 50 years of age and was
born at Wallaceville, this county,
and for some years was resident
of Cooperstown, coming here about
ten years ago to open shoe store
on Main street. This business he
disposed of later, but he continued
to make his residence here and
only rencently completed a new
residence on Petroleum street.
He was married to Miss Alice
Lamey, of Oakland township, In
1877, who, with three children,
Gladys, Rena and Harold, survives
him. The arrangements for the