The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-01-10
CRANE OPERATOR
CRUSHED IN FALL
Harvey E. La Mere Work
ing atzAmerican Brass
Plant is Victim.
STEEL BEAM SNAPS
Is Survived by Widow and
Family of Seven Daughters;
Investigation Is Started.

Harvey E, La Mere died ait the Keno
sha hospital late Saturday from crush
ing injuries received when the seven
ton coal crane which he was operating
at the American Brass company tore
loose from its mono-rail track ana
crashed 16 feet to the ground.
He is survived by widow and seven
daughters, Ethel the oldest of which
is 10 years old. The others are Bea-
frice. Eunice, Eleanor, Mary, Kathleen
and Gloria. The family lives at COS
Elizabeth street.
The cause of the accident, according
to C. S. Judd, managing vice-president
of the company, was the breaking OF a
steel I-beam, to which the track was
riveted. This particular section of the
structural steel which failed was said
to have been section of the scale unit
which was installed complete by the
Fairbanks Morse company Of Beloit
two months ago.
Cold Possible Indirect Cause.
Mr.. Judd stated that the sub-zero
weather may have been contributing
factor. The severe cold is thought to
have made the steel unusually brittle
posed of the driving motors, the cab
dn which La Mere was riding, and the
clam-shell loaded with approximately
one ton of coal, making total weight
of about eight tons, struck the section
of the track which is attached TO the
weighing machinery. it snapped of,
allowing the cab to hurtle to the
ground below. e84,
The crane which La Mere was driv-
ing runs from the power house, with
its battery OF Fl boilers, to the coal
pile 800 feet away. The new scale, in
stalled to accurately check the amount
of fuel consumed, is located just out
side the power house.
Men working in the power house
heard the crash and rushing out, sue
ceeded in eNtricating the unconscious
man and rushed him to the emergency
ward at the plant where first-aid was
given by the nurse. A physician was
Immediately summoned who ordered
the man taken to the Kenosha hospi-
tai so that an immediate operation
might be performed in an attempt to
save his life.
Dies Shortly After.
On the way to the hospital La Mere
regained Consciousness and asked
where he was and what happened. The
ambulance attendant told him as brief
ly as possible and cautioned him
against talking. When they arrived a.
the hospital, he had again lost con-
seriousness and died shortly after hav-
ing been adm tilted.
Examination showed that he had
suffered a compound fracture of the
top of the skull and three broken ribs
ON the right side. The ends of the ribs
had punctured the right lung. The
physician announced that death was
due to the shock from these injuries.
The family, according to Mr.. Judd
will be cared for under the provisions
made by the Wisconsin industrial conn
mission. The maximum for which the
American Brass company will be liable
ic said to be about 900, to which will
be added state pension dependent
upon the number and the ages of the
children. Mr.. Judd said this would
probably total about $500, which will
be divided into weekly payments.
Investigation to Follow.
A representative of the Fairbanks
Morse company. is to arrive here to-
morrow to make a thorough investiga-
ton of the cause of the accident The
steel will be subjected to tensil
strength tests.
Coroner Truman I. Parker was sum
moned following the crash and before
anything was moved, went to the scene
of the accident with hurriedly as
sembled jury. He announced today
however, that it seemed to be purely q
case for the industrial commission
rather than case of criminal negli-
gence on the part of any of the en-
ployees of the Brass company, and he
will consequently take no further ae-
ton.
The body was removed from the hos
pital to the Hansen funeral home and
arrangements were made later for the
funeral to be held on Thursday morn.
ing at $3.50 from st. Thomas church
Burial will be in st. James cemetery.
Victim Well Known.
Mr. La Mere was we'll known in Ke-
nosha, having moved here with his
family eight years ago from Red Gran.
lite, Wis, where he is survived by his
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Charles La Mere
Brothers and sisters who We're imme,
diately notified of the tragic accident
are Frank of Kenosha; Mrs, Edward
Bernier, Kankakee, ILL.,; Ralph, Racine;
Jay. Red Granite; George, Kiel, Wis;
Mrs. Myrtle Sprague, Berlin, Wis;
Mrs. Bessie Wrysinski, Beioit, and Miss
Mable La Mere, Red Granite, La Mere
was AZ years old and had been EN-.
pioyed by the American Brass company
for the past six years. He was mem.
Der of the Moose and Modern Wood
men of America,