The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-09-03
Sewer Inspector William Joachim
Killed BY Coming in Contact With
a Heavily Charged Wire.
CEAsUREs LIGHTING COMPANY.
Jury Claims Accident Could Have Been
Avoided If the Lines Had Been In Good
Condition-DetaiI of Sad Accident.

William Joachim, formerly assistant
city engineer of thu city and now en-
ployed asa sewer inspector for the city,
met tragic death at ten o'clock Sun
day night at the corner of West Main
and Grand Avenue. He was standing
leaning against a post supporting the
wires of the Electric Light Company,
when he suddenly fell to the ground
and died almost instantly. 1t is sup
posed that he was killed by the shock
of an electric current which had jump
ed from the electric wires into the
wires supporting the lamp,
Young Joachim had been down to
the railway station and in company
with Deputy Sheriff Chris Jensen had
started for his home on the north side.
When the two men reached the corner
where the accident occurred they stop
ped TO talk awhile and Joachim COM
planning of being tired, leaned up
against the post. He held his hand
against the post, and after time he
reached up and took hold OF the Wire
used in hosting the lamp. A second
later he turned to Jensen and said Il
got a shock.'' Before the words we're
finished he fell over in an unconscious
condition. Doctor F. E.. Andre and
Doctor w, r. Cheever were hurriedly
summoned by the crowd that gathered,
but Joachim had already expired when
they arrived. The doctors seem to
believe that the mans death was an
instant and painless one.
The news of the tragic death OF
young Joachim caused the widest ex-
element, and large crowd gathered
at the scene of the accident in a few
moments. Coroner Landsdowne was
notified of the accident and at once
secured jury to investigate into the
accident. The general impression
prevailed that the man had been killed
by the electric current. 1t is claimed
that at the time of the accident the
wire cable was touching two wires
carrying the full current from the
station of the company, and was so
heavily charged that the bare touching
of it was sufficient to cause the death
of the man. When it was ascertained
that young Joachim was dead the
remains were removed from the scene
of the accident to the Hansen under
taking rooms, and Monday they were
taken to the home Of his parents on
Lake Avenue.
William A. Joachim was one OF the
best known of the young men OF the
north side. He was the son of Mr..
and Mrs. James Joachim and was born
in Nenosha on February 21st, 1876.
He was educated in the High School
and in the College of Commerce and
had splendid prospects in life. After
leaving the college he was talked of as
a candidateIfor the Office of city clerk
and when Mr.. Jacob was returned to
office, Joachim was made an assistant
in the office of the city engineer. He
proved splendid man for the city and
recently he was selected to supervise
the construction Of number of i'm
portant sewers. Joachim was born a
cripple and his manly fight against
this heavy handicap won for him the
high regard and admiration of all
with whom he came in contact.
The sad death of the young ma n
cast pail over the entire north side.
The coroner's jury met Monday morn
ing to investigate the case.
The jury listened to the evidence of
the people who saw the accident and to
the doctors who attended Joachim. AS
a result Of this evidence the jury
brought in a verdict censuring the
company for the death of the man,
The verdict read as follows: THAT
death was due to an electric shock on
or about the hour Of 1890 p. M, in the
city of Kenosha, Wisconsin, fifth
ward, on the Goth day of August, 1908
It is tie opinion of the jury that said
accid emit and death could have been
avoided with proper care and attend
ance by the Kenosha Gas & Electric
Company of their SYSTEM
The company disclaims any liability
for the killing of Joachim and Manager
Bower stated Monday morning that
the company had carefully examined
the pole at the scene of the accident
and found nothing wrong with The
connecting wires. Some of the people
in connection with the company have
advanced the idea that Joachim re
ceived a slight shock which had The
effect Of producing heart failure, but
this is not thought possible by the doc
tors who had charge of the dead man
The doctors state that he had all the
symptoms Of man killed by sudder
electric shock.