Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1907-11-23

The distressing intelligence of the ac
cidental death of John II Smythe, for
merly of this place, reached here late
Saturday afternoon, from Youngstown,
Ohio, but particulars Were not available
until Monday.
The best report of the sad affair is
copied below from the Youngstown
Telegram Of last Sunday:
John II. Smythe, 1919 High street met
death about 1870 Saturday afternoon
beneath the wheels of an overhead crane at
the Sheet and Tube plant wherehe was work
ing in the employment of the McClintic Il
Marshall Bridge Co., of pIttsburs
The htelcss body of Smythc hung across
the crane track until rescued by Peter Peter
son, his fellow workman, close witness of
the accident Death is thought to be instan-
taneous, the wheels passing over the vie
TIM 5 back. above the heart crushing out
his life. The body WAS removed to the
emergency hospital of the plant to await the
arrival o Coroner klyue. The coroner
could no reach the scene of the accident and
three hours after it occurred the body was
taken TO GIllcu's morguc
Smi n was working aloft upon the frame
of a building in the course of construction.
the new building being erected beside the
crane tracks with but few inches Separa-
ting them and the walls. The victim had
stepret to the interior of gable of the new
bullNllllI 10 dNNlNl | tltlSDl. lie saw one
crane pass along the tracks and climbed ont
upon them, just in time to be struck and
crushed. Peterson witnessed the accident
from within the gable and carried the body
to the ground where it was found that life
was extinct.
Nick DuplinSki, operator of the first crane.
says that he cried a warning to Smvthc but
such was evidently not heard above the roar
of the machinery.
The scene at the home of the unfortunate
mans family when news of the fatality was
received was pathetic. \ widow and four
young children are left. The oldest of the
children Is but 10 years while the young
est is , years old Mrs. Smythe was not m
formed of the accident until about O'Clock.
some difficulty being experienced in locating
the residence. Mr.. Smythe was about -
years Old and had lived in Youngstown five
or SIX years, coming here from Frost
burg, Nd.
Coroner c. NJ. Klyne viewed the body as
it lay at the morgue and said Saturday even
ing:
1t is undoubtedly case of accidental death
| shall make further Investigation, however
and will make an attempt to interview the
companions of the man who witnessed his
death.
Coroner Klyne said late Saturday night:
After thoroughly investigating the particu-
lars of the accident find that some negligence
has been displayed at the plant where the new
building is being erected. Some time ago Me
Clintic Marshall requested of David Jones
crane Inspector, that guard be placed to warn
their wOrkmcn of the approach of Il crane
This was denied them, though guard had
been used on former occasions.
The tracks upon which the crane is operatcG
are within 3's inches of the new building anC
it was extremely dangerous for the wOrkmcn
the contractors realizing this.
Mr.. Smythe removed from here t.
Youngstown several years ago. Indus
trioqs and prosperous, his death is dis
tressing loss to his family.
Other related survivors are five sisters
Mrs. J. $. Mcdonald of Cumberland
Mrs. William J. Mooney, of Lonacon
ing; Mrs. f. G. Schofield of Richmond
Va; Mrs. James Williams and Mrs
Robert PaScoe, of this place, and tive
brothers Messrs. Alexander and David
X. Smythe, Of.this place.
Funeral and interment at Youngstown
Tuesday afternoon.