Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-11-14
CONCRETE WORK ON BLAkE's
BRANCH cuLvERT GIVES Way. i.
!. CRUTCHFIELD HURT
Sewer Caves in Without Warning
While Workmen Were Removing
False Work-crutchfield May Be
Fatally Injured.

From Saturdays Daily.
The cavirg in nf the Blaks's branch
sewer this morning caused the ins
stant death Of Joseph Hansmanu
and serious and probable fatal injuries
to George Crutchfield. The accident
happened at the work about a half
block north of Grant street and it is
supposed was caused by the false work
being knocked out, which allowed the
| top of the sewer to cave in for dis
tace of fifty-siX feet Mr.. Hansmann
and Mr.. Crutchfeld were taking out
the false frame work under the section
that had been completed and when
near the newly finished portion, it is
thought one of them struck a part of
the frame work, which fell and allowed
the brick construction to cave in. Mr..
Hansmann was instantly killed and
Mr.. Crutchfield had his right leg dis.
located at the knee, his left hip dislo-
Gated and the leg mangled to such AM
extent that amputation was necessary.
The Accident.
The accident occurred this morning
about S ~ l. after small portion
of the Y id been completed. AS
| is the custom with contractors for this
! kind of work. two men are used for
removing the false frame work, after it
has been ascertained that the work has
| had plenty of time to set and become
firm. These men remove the frame
centers from about fifty feet in the
1 sewer to the place where active work
is being done. Mr.. hansmann and Mr..
ECrutchtield were employed at this
work and this morning they were per-
forming their duties as usual. Both
were taking out the frame work. when
it is supposed one of them struck a
frame center under the lately complat-
ed portion, which fell and caused the
{. accident. n.
Ambulance Called
The ambulance was brought into
service Immediately and Dir. A. o. Will.
4 liams, after having administered pre-
liminary medical attention had Mr.
| Crutchfield removed to the hospital,
where it was found necessary to ampu-
tate the left leg Just above the llnee.,
| The dislocated hip and right leg were
put into proper place and every at
tention possible was given the injured
man. 1t is thought, however. that the
extent of his injuries are too great for
him to survive. The remains of Mr..
Hansmann were taken to the undertake
ing DdrIOTS OF -. "A. CROWLEY.
/, The Sewer.
Edward Keete has the contract for
the construction OF the sewer and this
fall he had contemplated building
about 400 feet, from Grant street,
, north The work commenced this
morning as usual and over 100 feet
had been completed. The two center
movers, although perfectly familiar
II EI,,,r~ IL
one-half feet in which to work. The
sewer is nine feet in diameter and
when the frame centers are in place,
they occupy about half the space. 1t
: is necessary. therefore, to use every
: caution in removing the centers to
: avoid striking one OF the centers which
is in active use.
Were Old Employees.
Mr. Hansmann and Mr.. Crutch-
], field were old employees Of
u with him for several years. They
were both familiar with the work and
: Ill is.supposed that one OF them misjudg-
!, ed the height OF the false centers
, which held the new work aud struck
| one of them.
Was Not Married.
, Ihe late Joseph f1ahsnalln re-
sided with his parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
, Philip Hansmann, 110 South Vine
: street and was unmarried He has liw-
: ed in this city for a number of years
+ and has hosts of friends who will
q grieve to hear OF his sudden death.
3 Mr. Hansmann was forty-three years
= old and is survived by his parents,
: two sisters. Mrs. Anna Fecht of this
/ city and Mrs. Clara Bart of Nauvoo,
|, Ill. The coroner's inquest over The re-
i mains OF Mr.. Hansmann will he held
/ this afternoon. No arrangements for
/ the funeral have yet been made.