The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1904-01-06
FLAD,S AWFUL
EXPERIENCE
HotO He RecsfJed Shock of
$500 VojfS Of Electricity
and Lfve d.

In the history OF electrical accidenti
the story of Frederick Flad of Jersey
City, employed by the Westinghouse
Electric company at the Kingsbridge
| (New York; street car power house, II
unparalleled. Flad had half the volt
age OF the entire plant shot through
his body $500 volts, of 225 amperes
and is alive today.
Flad was holding up a joint of iror
pipe conduit for containing electric
wires at the time which workman.
Mallory, was measuring when the
plank on which Flad stood tipped. To
save himself from falling on a nest of
deadly wires below he threw up his
arm to get his balance, touched other
wires, and like a thunderbolt twice the
voltage required for electrocution in
Sing Sing prison shot through the in
sulation and through his body
Flad Strengthened up, and as he stiff
ened like corpse his head came near
enough to still other wires above to
form a complete circuit. Mallory saw
stream of blue flame eighteen inches
long and six inches wide roaring out of
Flad's head with the noise of a trolley
car. He. saw this flame melting the
iron pipe above and the molten metal
dropping white and kissing on the back
Of his head. How could the man be
saved? To put hands on him to pull
him away meant death.
1t was sweltering August day. Men
and clothing steaming with perspira
ton were perfect conductors of tbe
awful current and there was no time
to shout for help. But Mallory was an
expert. He knew what to do. Instant
~ like catapult, he hurled himself
neadlong against the paralyzed burn
ing man, broke the circuit, and they
both tumbled to the floor together
Mallory himself was badly shocked
and burned in the contact, but he was
saved.
Ihis hero, Mallory, staggered to his
feet and shouted for help. A dozen
electricians leaped to his side. took In
the situation and while Flad was stiu
roasting and smoking seized his arms
and began the resuscitation movements
used In cases of drowning. Six of the
men spelled one another. keeping
up this artificial breathing process
pumping air in and out of his lungs
by working his arms and chest. There
was no sign of life-the heart had
beating-but they worked in
cessantly, never relaxing for mo-
ment.
The thing to do in such eases is m
excite the hearts action. A shock must
De produced to start it beating again
Just as one joys a watch to set the hal
anee wheel going when it stops In
Iecuon OF brandy into the veins is one
way but there was no hypodermic
'yrrge at hand nor any brandy
'rong ammonia was used again and
gain and still there was no response /
me spark Of life had evidently aed
Inc men working Flad's arms were
earring the poor man was beyond helm
Fneh suddenly bis frame heaved
treat knots OF muscles twltehed CON
nisiyeiy, and Flad tried 10 lean into :
De air IL took i've men 10 hold b,n
the Door. The contraction az ~
muscles and the terrible conyuIs,ons
men We're now wrfthlng him were Il
ncush 70 break eyery bone in his 4
ohy' Finally he became auieter. ~
carr began 70 beat little. very faint. s
\ thep frofh dubbed on his lins !,
looa appeared, ana the heart began III y
raj strongly, Fiad was taken M he
,spnsl and though terribly burned "
"a khockea, sl0@iv rafned st,..'..,
though hs Il NOT even YET fully re
lyered - '''f f'' =
AZ shpeFl said after some aearlug
~ iile Foiiage which had shot
foVfn tlad'g body was three limos p.
e'''t man ihe curronf required NJ ~
Y Ne New York elevated irains 81
v current mar famed from Blad'.
eN Would have run 1fiy cars AZ M. e.te