The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1918-06-28
E. A. Webster
Meets Instant Death by Accidental
EleCtrOCutiOn While at Work.

tleCtfOCuIlOn MIllIe al Work.
The Lewistown Democrat
News of June Goth, gives the
following account Of the accident
by which Mr.. A. E. Webster
lost his life while in the perform
ance Of his work as lineman for
the Montana Power Company Of
I-ewistown:
E. A. Webster, lineman for the
Montana Power company. was elec-
trocuted at about $3.50 yesterday after
noon, while engaged in clearing tive
power line near the Milwaukee round
house. There had been trouble the
night before and it was found that
this was due largely to the electric
and telephone lines coming in contact
with trees near the roundhou.e, the
wind being responsible for this con-
dition. The decedent had climbed a
tree, strapped himself there with his
safety belt and sawed off limb to
clear the wires.
He undertook to throw the limb
clear of the tree, but it struck the s.
600 wire. bringing in the current from
/
grounded in the tree, the whole OF it
/ practically passing through his body
and killing him INSTANTLY A fellow
employee named Wilson was stand
| ing under the tree and witnessed the
accident and gave the alarm. The
| power was shut off in few minutes
at the Milwaukee substation. and sew
eral men then assisted In lowering the
Ia tea ta1
ened around the chest aud the body
carefully lowered. First aid RENE
dies were Immediately applied while
| waiting for Drs. Biddle and Harry
Wilson to arrive They came prompt
| IL and worked for over two hours.
all to no purpose, however, as death
was praclica lly instantaneous.
The body was brought to the Creel
morgue and an inquest was held there
last evening, with acting Coroner Ed
, ward Brassey presiding for Coroner
, Creel, who is in the east. The facts
developed were substantially as stated
and the Jury returned verdict OF ac-
cidental death, in accordance with
them.
ar. Webster was about 81 wears Of
age and is survived by the widow
and two children. He came here a
little less than two years ago from the
Rainbow plant and was considered
one OF the best linelnen in the com
pany's employ. He was thoroughly
reliable. skill-d and faithful worker.
; Mr.. Webster was somewhat promn
leAI iMnnian atfails s. was respected
by AT OF his aSsociatcs. .sa hssa y.
will be shipped today to Milbank.
;. D., Il e former home OF the deced-
ent, for burial.
This is the first fatality the Power
company has ever had here.
The remains were brought to
Milbank for burial Saturday
morning, accompanied by the
bereayed wife and two little sons.
and John Nixson, brother of
Mrs. Webster. The funeral Ger
emony was held at the Metho-
dist church Sunday afternoon,
Rev A. E. Beddoes Of the Con-
gregational church conducting 9
the service, and the members
Of Banner lodge, knights of
Pythias, attending in a body.
A brother and sister of the
deceased man, Mr.. Warren Web
ster and Miss Laura Webster,
camel rom Hastings, Mimi, to
attend the funeral.
Earl Webster lived in Mil
bank for only about four years,
before going to the coast coun-
try. but the bereaved wife grew
up from childhood in this city.
and the sincere sympathy Of all
The old friends go out to her
in this sad experience.
Ear lArthur Webster was born
in LDhton, Michigan, May 10Th,
1of. At the age Of two years
with his parents moved to Eau
Claire, Wise, and about three
years later TO Hastings. Minn.
Most Of his boyhood days we're
spent in Hastings. 1t was in
his early manhood he came to
Milbank and worked as lineman
for the phone and electric light
company of this city. Later he
moved to Seattle, Washington,
where he was united in marriage
to Mary E. Nixson on Oct $1,000.
To them were born two boys one
at Vancouver and the other at
Vernon, B. g. Besides his i'm
mediate family his parents are
living at Hastings, MINI, and
one brother and two sisters sur
vive him.
He was little over 81 years
old at the time of his death,
which occurred Wednesday, June
10Th at $3.50 n. M, while follow
ing his occupation as lineman
and while in the pursuit of his
work he received a shock of
5000 volts of electricity.