The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1915-01-13
Secretary of Westcott Mu-
tual Aid Dies After Opera
ton Necessitated by Blow
to Abdomen.
CARR LAUDS DECEASED
Leader of Seeding Machine
Company Recalls Sterling
Character and Principles
of Former Employe.

William E. Russell. aged 81. living
at 1918 North C street, one of the
city's best known residents and
known affectionately to every factory
employe in the city, died at Reid hos
pital about 10 o'clock last night as
result of an injury received Saturday
while operating a planning machine at
the American Seeding Machine fac
tory, where he had been employed for
thirty-five years. This was the first
accident Mr.. Russell had ever had
during the many years he piled his
trade as a woodworker. and was the
first fatal accident ever recorded at
the American Seeding Machine fac
tory.
James A. Carr, president of the
Seeding Machine company. was great
ly affected by Mr. Russell's death. "a
man of sterling character and the
highest type of workman: an asset to
the company" Mr. Carr said. "All Of
us are completely broken up over Mr..
Russell's DEATH"
Board Kicks Backward.
Saturday Mr.. Russell placed board
with big knot at it's end in a planer.
When the knife struck this knot the
board was forced backward with great
violence, striking Mr.. Russell in the
abdomen and severing an intestine, as
was discovered later when he was op-
Grated on at the hospital. For time
it was believed he would recover, but
his heart became affected yesterday
and early last evening it was realized
that his death was near.
Shortly before he died the police
lungmotor was sent for, but he had
died before it arrived at the hospital.
1t was taken to the hospital in the
fire chiefs automobile. Until he was
operated on by an Indianapolis special
ist, brought here by the Seeding Ma
chine company, it was not known that
one of his intestines had been severed,
for his symptoms did not indicate
such an injury.
Led Insurance Society
Mr.. Russell always took an active
interest in civic, church and fraternal
affairs He had been nearly all his
life one of the most active members
of the First Methodist Episcopal
church. he had gone through all the
chairs of the Occur de Lion lodge,
knights of Pythias, and had been sec
retary of that lodge for number OF
years, and for long time had been
secretary of the Westcott Mutual Aid
organization, which is operated in the
interests Of the employees of the
American Seeding Machine company
About fifteen years ago he was a
candidate for the Republican nomina
ton as city clerk but was defeated a!
the primary election by a very close
margin. This was the only time he
| ever aspired to public office.
| During the many years he was in
the employ of the American Seeding
Machine company he worked in the
wood working department. Fifteen
years ago he gave up the foremanshiI
of that department, after serving as
foreman for one year. saying that the
responsibilities worried him and that
he "preferred to be private in the
ranks" The company objected to hav
ing him relinquish the foremanshiI
and reluctantly needed Mr.. Russell's
insistant demands.
Bavis Praises Russell.
| civilian Russell was one of the
| best men l ever had the pleasure ci
knowing" said Alfred Bavis, presf
dent of the board of public works and
formerly employed at the Seeding Ma
chine factory. HE was a Christian
man. had high ideals and. best of all
lived up to them. Richmond has los,
most valued citizen and the work
ingmen a loyal friend and associate
Mr. Russell is survived by his wife
two sons, George. now in California
Bertram of this city, and one daugh
ter, Miss Nola, who is stenographer Il,
the Central Charity Bureau office
Funeral arrangements will not be
made until word is received from
George Russell