The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-10-21
WAS FATALLY lNJL..ED
Cliff W. Gray Caught Ia Gasoline
faoiae Used in FILLING Sewer
bitches aad Fatally lnjured.

Cliff Gray, a we'll known young
man of Leon, lost his life as the re-
suit of an accident while working
with gasoline engine used for fill
ing the sewer bitches in this city last
Wednesday evening.
Mr. Gray had only gone to work
for the Geo. M. King company that
morning, and was running the little
gasoline engine which fills the ditch
,es. When it is necessary to move the
engine along the ditch it is done by
driving a stake some distance ahead, ,
and by the use of steel cable and
drum on the engine it is made to pull
itself forward. About five o'clock in
the evening while moving the engine
Mr.. Gray attempted to kick the cable
running around the drum down, as
it was pulling off, and in some man.
ner his foot slipped off and was
caught in the cable and he was
drawn into it, his right leg being
broken at the knee. Others who
were working near rushed to his as
sistance, but before they could reach
him the engine and skids had turned
over two or three times, carrying his
body with it and he would strike on
his back each time he was thrown
over. Physicians were summoned at
once and he was taken to the Leon
hospital suffering terribly, in fact
was in such pain that he could not
permit an examination to be made
for time. His right leg was broken
and lascerated so that it was neces-
sary to amputate it, although it was
known that he was in no condition
fo{ h,1f
the only chance he had for life, so
the physicians proceeded with the
operation, but he failed to rally from
the shock and internal injuries and
passed away at 500 that evening.
1t is said that the foreman OF the
gang had cautioned Mr.. Gray to be
careful in regard to the cable ana
had told him that in case anything
went wrong to stop the engine, but IT
is presumed he thought he could
kick the cable down, and he had had
considerable experience with engines.
No blame can be attached to the
company who are doing the sewer
work for the unfortunate accident,
and the sad accident is deeply de-
plored by them. The company car
ries workingmen compensation in
surance on all their employees, and
the insurance company will make
settlement with Mrs. Gray.
This is the second fatal accident,
on. the sewer work this year. one Of
the Mexicans employed on the ditch
having been caught and crushed to
death by the ditching machine sever
al months ago.
Clifford w. Gray was born March
5, 1891, in Burrell township, Deca-
tur county, Iowa, died at Leon, on
October 13, 1915, at the age OF "a
wears, 7 months and days.
On August 80, 1911, he was united
in marriage to Miss Lenora Fort, of
Red Oak, and they had made their
home in this city since that time. In
addition to his wife he is survived by
his mother, Mrs. Wade Lindsey, and
other relatives.
The deceased was a splendid speci-
men of manhood, endowed with an
unusual physique, and was a good
natured and genial young man, who
had many friends who regret his un-
1 timely death.
Funeral services were held at the
home of his mother in this city on
Saturday morning at 1O:3O o'clock,
sconducted by Rev. .Chas. w. Reeder,
iinterment being in the Leon ceme-
tery.
! The sympathy of the entire COM
immunity goes out to the bereaved
wife and mother.