The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-10-01
LIFE CRUSHED OUT
While Working I'm Sewer Exca-
walton Charles SavittS
Met Death.
A SHOCKING ACCIDENT


been demonstrated. Saturday
morning Charles Savitts left his
home on East First Street, happy
and in the best of health, but before
the noon hour, the final summons
came to him, and his life was
crushed out. Engaged at honest
toll in sewer excavation on East
Third street, little thinking of the
terrible calamity that awaited him,
he was conversing with +. d. Marr
a fellow workman who was standing
OH the top of the ground, few feet
above hirl, when suddenly, and
without warning the eaith broke
loose from its holding and toppled
over. Just before he had taken a
joint of pipe from Marr's hands and
was in the act Of placing it in posi-
ton when Marr observing the break
in the earth, warned him of the i'm
pending danger, but alas, it was too
late. He raised upjust as the mass
of earth fell over, and his head was
caught aud pressed with awful
force against the side Of the ditch.
Some idea of the terrible weight Of
the earth which fell over and
crushed his life out can be formed
by the fact that his face left an i'm
preston in the side Of the ditch.
Death was instantaneous. The
skull from a point near the nose to
the top OF the head was split, and
the brain oozed out upon his fore
head.
The cause of the accident is a
mystery. The earth simply broke
loose in a crescent shape and top
pied over. The walls of the ditch
are straight end men who have
spent their lives at excavating and
work of this sort are unable to ex-
plain it.
The body was hurriedly uncov-
cred and removed to the undertak-
ing establishment OF G.. G.. Baker,
where it was prepared for burial.
1t was later taken to the sorrow
stricken home on East First Street.
The misfortunes that have visited
this family would seem to indicate
that fate has marked it as its own.
Thirty years ago, William Savitts,
the father of the unfortunate man
was killed in the mines in Hemlock
township, and twelve years ago
Benjamin F. Savitts, fell from the
top of the Exchange Hotel and
was instantly killed.
The deceased was forty-nine years
of age and is survived by wife,
three daughters and one son. He
was among the best known resi-
dents of the town, having spent all
of his life here. He was an active
member of the Friendship Fire
Company, and for long time took
care of the FIRE engine. He was
one of the many good 6remen OF
the town and there have been
few fires that he had not responded
to, and he always worked herolcally.
He for many years was employed
by w. o. Holmes & Son as a
plumber. For two years he man
aged the Fairman Restaurant, but
resigned to accept position with
street commissioner Fred Neyhart,
for whom he was working when he
met his death
The funeral took place on TIES
day afternoon and was one of the
largest that has ever been known
in town. The Friendship Fire
Company showed its respect by at
tending in full uniform, and the
other companies. the Rescue, Wi
mona and Liberty were largely rep
resented. The pail beareas, all
members of the Friendship Fire
Company were w. H. Gilmore,
Luther Benshof, John Lewis, Cal
win Girton, Elmer Dietterich and
Frank Clifton. The services were
conducted by Rev. J. d. Thomas,
of the Reformed church. He took
for his text the 18th verse of the
4th chapter of James, Whereas We
know not what shall be on the
morrow. What is mans life 1t
is but vapor which appeareth for
a short time" He dwelt upon the
uncertainties of human life, and his
remarks were most impressive.
The choir rendered "Some Time
Well understand. and two other
selections in a beautiful manner.
The services throughout were par
ticularly affecting, and as the re-
mains were being carried from the
home that he so dearly loved and
now knows him no more, many
eyes filled with tears.