The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-05-09
death FALLS SWIFTLY
ON ASTORIA HOME
YOUNG SON OF EX-coUNcIL-
MAN GEO. w. MORTON FALLS
FROM POWER POLE.

Death fell yesterday forenoon with
swift and btighting force upon the
home and lives Of Mr. and Mrs. Geo
w Morton. Of 1870 Grand avenue,
when Shallmcn f. Morton, their II
year.old son. fell from power pole
of the Astoria Electric system at the
corner Of Bond and Tenth streets,
diving almost instantly on the side
walk IN front Of the First National
Bank.
The young man had been in the
employ Of the company for a month
or more, as meter-readcr and helper,
and was very assiduous in learning |
aft he might OF the great mystery OF /
electrical transmission and communi-
cation. and eager 10 do anything that |
augmented that pursuit. He was
with Foreman Louis Hartwig, and
I.incman McManen, on the work at
| the point Of disaster yesterday morn
ling and hearing the lineman, who
was aloft on the pole, say that he
needed knife for some purpose he
volunteered 10 supply il and began
the ascent OF the pole, upon the hand
and.foo bars with which the stick
was equipped. He went up as far as
the transformer (about 80 feet from
the ground), and delivered the knife
10 Mr.. McManen, and started to re-
turn 10 the sidewalk, when, from
some cause, he began to sway out
from the pole and give every sign OF
weakness; this was instantly noted by
, the lineman who hailed Louis Hart
/ wig, and Hartwig began to prepare
, for the worst by placing himself
. where he might break the fall OF the
i boy, or so turn the body as It de-
: scended to insure it from the worst
. consequences Of such plunge. but
: the lad, in falling struck the hote'
sign OF the "Nettick" suspended iron
! that building to the pole in question
;, and this diverted the course Of thu
. body so that Hartwig missed il, an'
!. il fell almost at his feet with dread
. ful jar and force.
!, Young Morton breathed time o
two after reaching the sidewalk bu
did not move, and though Dr. J. A
Fulton arrived on the spot with ex
traordinary speed, death supervene
before he came, and the anguishe
father reached the place almost simu
r. taneously. 1t was a sad scene il
s. deed, and the deep sympathy of ii
ds crowd went out to the stricken pa
ent of the popular boy who counte
as his friends by the scores all over Il
r. city.
Fl. The ambulance was at once call'
and the remains were taken at on
10 the undertaking parlors Of ].
AZ Gilbaugh, the county coroner, wi
ria took steps Immediately, looking
his an inquest, which was arranged {
10 s o'clock last evening, and summo
were at once despatched for ju
wn in this behalf,
m. Coroner J. A, Gilbaugh held an
os quest on the body of Shalman Mort
ers last evening. The following jul
sm were summoned; NJ. N. Adams, /,
,itv Selig, H, w. christensen, F. Do
as nelly, J. Benoit and Jas. Miller. L.
eat Iartwig, A. Macaman, TIM Arrig'
and Dr. o. B. Estes were subpoer
ton as witnesses. The evidence show
In that Morton climbed the pole to t;
nm. a knife up to McManen. He was St
to fall head foremost striking on
a sidewalk, His neck and both she
Ter der bones were broken and skull II
tured In the opinion of DR.. Es
and Morton was attacked with VERT
,wn There was nothing tending to sh
.ter that he had received shock from
a of the wires. The inquest adjour
;crs until Wednesday evening to take
, IN testimony OF George w, Morton,
the boys father,
The funeral will take place t
,ha day afternoon at 2 o'clock from Gl
WAS church, Rev. w, S Short oficiatin