The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-08-12
DRAGGED Up BY
ELEVATOR AND
DIES INSTANTLY

Salt Lake City Aug. 9--Disobeying
rules of the county hospital, Joseph
McEIroy, 40 years of age, stepped IN
To the cage of the automatic elevator
in the basement of the hospital short
" before 6 o'clock last night without
An attendant. He had started the ele-
yator when, 1t is thought, he suffer
cd an epileptic fit falling, MS arm
canght between the floor of the ele-
vator and the shaft. He was dragged
almost to the third floor before at
tendants could stop the elevator.
Death WAS instantaneous.
Together with other patients at the
hospital, McElroy, who is charity
natient. went to the dining room IN
the basement for supper about 5:oo
Yesterday afternoon. Finishing sup
per. he wa ,ked briskly to the elevator
and entered t alone. This action at
tracted other patients, but before ne
could be stopped. he started the eleVa-
tor He fell forward and 1t is said
uttered a muffled cry when his arm
caught i'm the shaft. The cage pro-
coded ND the shaft. Mortified pa
tients spread an alarm through the
building.
Joseph Sabine, superintendent OF
tho county infirmary rushed to the
elevator shaft, exerting every effort
10 stop the cage. SIMULTANEOUSLY
Samuel Crowther, infirmarv enginee
and Miss Mary Hansen, chief nurse
at the hospital made similar attempts
IN stop the elevator. 1t was stopped
when II proceeded within few feet
OF the third floor. The elevator was
drawn down to the second floor ana
the mangled body of McElroy WAS TAX
en- out of the cage.
Used Elevator Against Rules.
Since we opened the new hospital
there has been a rule prohibiting pa
tients using the elevator except in
the case of cripples, and these must
be accompanied by an attendant to
operate the elevator, said DR.. c. c.
Snyder, county phys clan, last night,
McElroy, who has been at the hos.
pital since June 81, when We took
him out of the American house In
Commercial street, was familiar with
these rules. Patients Of his chaiact-
ar are required to walk to the r cots
from the basement dining room ana
they are not permitted to ride in the
elevator. The exercise Of walking up
sta RS proves beneficial to them. In
taking the elevator. McElroy DIS
obeyed the rule"
Or. SNYDER feels certain that 10
one Sbove tried to start the elevator
as the automatic doors were found
to be in perfect order after McElroy
had been dislodged Automatic ele.
vators have proven practical and safe
in other hospitals, according t. Or.
Snyder. However, it is said, entrtuc-
eS 10 tue elevator W III Dt 'dl Nl'''
guarded in the future while pat en.s
are walking to and from their meals
investigation is Made
DR.. Snyder was home when the
fatal accident took place. Informed
by his chief nurse he rushed to tho
hospital and accompanied by County
Commissioner A. II. Crabbe he made
an Investigation into the death of
the patient. Immediately after the
investigation, the body was removed
to the mortuary of Undertaken s. ID.
Evans, where it will be prepared for
burial.
Little is known concerning Neil
roy. He came to Salt Lake about the
middle of June, engaging rooms al
the American house A confirmed
epileptic he became helpless and
owners Of the American house called
attention of the police and county
authorities to his condition. He was
removed to the county hospital June
81. His condition is said to have be-
come much improved while at the
county hospital When McE,roy
was first removed to the county hos
pital he told DR.. snyder that hts
home was in Iowa and that he had
a brother in Denver. He said ne was
in bad repute with relatives AMI re
fused to furnish the name of ornc
his brother in Denver or his relatives
in Iowa.