Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1910-10-28
TWO LOSE HER LIVES


I = r : -: -
urday Afternoon
= IS H. !. ..---- - ~s,t, >.,& 49,;
+ Jesse Thompson, aged Is years, and
William Woehlert, aged nearly H.
years, met instant death IN one OF the
most horrible accidents in the mills
history. at the big sawmill of the
Pine Tree Manufacturing company at
about 1:30 O'Clock Saturday afternoon.
The boys had been seen by Joseph
Trettel. the oiler, but a moment before
the accident about fifteen feet from
the hugh fy-wheel fourteen feet in
diameter), but as it was boxed up on
the. ENDS and sides, it is evident that
they had gone up the steps on the side
of the fly wheel and in some manner
whether while playing or on what
other theory will never be known.
fell through the guard of the belt
tightener onto the belt and had their
brains =: dashed out on the belt
tightener.
Some of the brains flew a distance
of from ten to fifteen teet onto some
posts east of the platform. The bodies
evidently then fell to the lower belt
and maue the circuit of the fy-wheel
between the belt and the pulley over
and over again until the machinery
was brought to stop.
The oller was the first to discover
the accident. No scream was
heard from the boys, but he
heard what he thought was the
knocking of the belt against the box
casing, and thereupon signaled that
the mill he shut down.
Before the machinery was stopped,
however, large number OF the boards
on the end and sides had been knocked
loose and q big timber at the foot of
the stairs to the right of the fly
| wheel was broken as result of the
bodies coming IN contact with it, and
when the wheel finally came to stop
| one of the bodies fell out to one side
of the hy-wheel and the other was
taken out afterwards.
The boys were mutiliated to such
an extent as to he unrecognlzable, and
most of the bones in their bodies were
broken. An arm was thrown distance
of about thirty feet east of the fly.
wheel and the bodies were collected
Besides receiving number of bruises,
any one of which would have been
fatal, Jesse Thompson had an arm
torn froms his body while William
Woeblert lost leg fom the hip, of
of which the foot had also been torn.
an arm. and had badly smashed
hand. The latter's leg was not dis.
covered until about two hours after
the accident, being taken out from
under the big fly wheel.
On examining the bodies and the
scene Of the accident, Coroner O. j.
Brown decided that an inquest was
not necessary as the evidence showed
the deaths of the boys to have been
ipurely accidental. The bodies were
tnereupon removed to the morgue.
Jesse Thompson was employed az
fore sweeper and chain watcher, while
William WOehlert was engaged as
water-carrier. Their work did not
take them to either of the stairs on
the sides of the fy-wheel, hence the
theory that they were playing.
The Thompson boy was the son ot
Mr.. and Mrs. Peter Thompson of Fifth
street northeast. He was born August
80, 1892, and was the only surviving
one of four sons born to Mr. and Mrs.
Thompson, Besides his parents he
leaves three sisters.
His funeral was held Monday after.
noon at 2 80 o'clock from the Metho.
DIST. Episcopal church, Rev. K. b.
Walker officiating, and was attended
by the members of the M. B. A. lodge
of which deceased was a member, in q
body. Burial was in Oakland ceme
tery:
William Woehlert was the son of Mr..
! and Mrs. Fred Woehlert corner Fifth
street and Fourth avenue southwest.
He was born December 10, 1898. and
is survived by several brothers and
sisters, besides his parents. The obse
qules were held from the German
Lutheran church, corner Of Fiftt
street and Third avenue northeast
Monday afternoon at O clock, Rev.
F. J. Oehlert officiating at the last
sad rites. Interment was in Oakland
cemetery.
The sawmill was shut oown from
the time OF the accident to Monday
evening, and the planer and other de-
partments of the plant all DAY Mon.
day IN respect of the deceased, ana was
attended by many of their late fellow.
workers.
The scene of the double tradegy al
the big sawmil was visited by large
number of people Sunday afternoon.
who wished to ascertain the manner Of
the death of the two boys.
I~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~->~~~>~~~~-~-~-~-~
to recommend wholesome legislation.
| He challenged Gov Eberhardt tC
tell the people whether he was for o,
against county option, direct vote oi
the people, and the initiation, referen.
DUN and recall, and was loudly
appiauded when he stated that he knew
many good men who were on one
] side OF these questions and many good