The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-09-13
FUNERAL OF WALTER
c. WYMAN TODAY
Tragic Death Of Central
Maine Superintendent
Prominent Young SkOwhegan Man
Was Universally Respected by
the People Of this Section

Probably the people of Skowhegan
were never more shocked and grieved
than at the death of Walter Gordon
Wyman, superintendent of the Show
hogan division of the Central Maine
Power Co. on Monday last. He met
his death by electrocution while
working in the basement of the Maine
Spinning Co. here. Last week Mr..
Wyman was called to investigate the
Couplehammer Starter, complicated
piece of mechanism which starts the
motor for the deep well pump at the
plant already mentioned. Later fur
Their difficulty with the starter was
evident and on Monday Mr.. Wyman
was called in to again look after the
same. He informed the management
that he would return at noon when
the plant was notsin operation to
remedy the trouble and did so. 1t
appears however that he did not
quite complete the work as he return
ed during the afternoon. Mr.. Wyman
was being assisted iby Mark Clark in
the work and had asked Mr.. Clark to
find small wooden wedge which he
wished to use in hfs repairs. BY the
side OIL the starteRSis switch by
means OF which the $50 voltage pow
er could be thrown off and on and
while at work previously it had been
noted that Mr.. Wyman was constantly
operating the switch to try out the
results of his work. AS Mr. Clark
had just mounted the basement steps
on his errand and reached the first
landing he heard an unusual sound
and looking back saw Mr.. Wyman
crouching over the starter which was
on the side of the wall at a convent
ent point of reach. He fastened
back and threw off the switch which
he found to be on. This released Mr.
Wyman and Mr.. Clark caught him be-
fore he struck the concrete floor of
the basement but not until he had fall
en- in such a manner as to bruise his
face somewhat, probably on the box
ing of the machinery upon which he
was working. According to Mr..
Clark he laid Mr.. Wyman down on the
floor but twice after that the injured
man tried to get up on his knees and
was successful in so doing. Notify
ing Charles Turner the assistant SUI
perintendent at the Spinning MILL Mr..
Wyman was rushed to Somerset Hos
pital, and although when he reached
there DR.. Richardson stated that he
was dead persistent efforts with pull
motor and artificial respiration were
used for three hours in a vain effort
to revive him.
Mr. Wyman came here from Rich
mond where he had been employed as
a representative of the Central Maine
Power Co.. four years ago this month
and Immediately became assistant su
perintendent of the Skowhegan dis
trict for the same concern. His
splendid work and thorough under
standing of both the business and
mechanical departments won him pro-
motion and one year ago he was
made superintendent, a position which
he has filled with excellent results
OF a kindly disposition he was most
courteous to the public in general
and he had a personality of unusual
charm. These traits won for him the
universal respect of the townspeople
and he had become during his four
years residence in Skowhegan one of
its most popular younger men. He
was affiliated with the Masonic Fra
ternity and the Eastern Star and was
also a member of Skowhegan Rotary
Club, being the first in the member
ship of the latter organization to die.
Before coming here he was a mem
Der of the Odd Fellows and the Can
ton in Gardiner.
Mr.. Wyman was born near Gardi
ner, thirty-thrce years ago and was
the son of Capt Andrew T. and Emma
f. Wyman. These parents survive
as do sister. Miss Nellie Wyman, who
is totally blind and who lives at home
with her parents There are also
widow Mrs Edre Breen Wyman, to
whom he was married nine years ago
last July and two beautiful sons, Daw-
son, aged seven and Andrew aged
five. These relatives are being most
sincerely condoled with by the peo-
pie of this section in their sudden
and tragic bereavement.
There will be Masonic service this
Thursday morning at o'clock from
the Wyman home on Island Ave. after
which the body will be taken to Gar
diner where the funeral will be held
from the residence of the parents of
the deceased, SO Pleasant street, at 1
O'Clock.