Polk County Observer

CRUSHED BY FALLING LOG
A. W. Williams Receives Fatal Injuries While Loading Cars at Black Rock.

A. W. Williams, foreman of one of the loading crews in the logging camp above Black Rock, was fatally crushed by a falling log, Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, and died from the effects of his injuries at 2:30 o'clock Saturday morning.

The accident happened while logs were being loaded on the cars for shipment to Dallas. A large log rolled off the car on the opposite side from which the loading was being done, and Williams, who was assisting in the work, undertook the task of hoisting it back onto the car. Raising one end of the log a few feet above the ground, he placed a railroad tie on end underneath it to prop it up, and then crawled under the log to shift the hoisting line. While so engaged, the log slipped off the end of the tie and fell with a fearful crash, rolling almost the length of Williams' body before coming to a stop. The unfortunate man was quickly rescued from his perilous position, but was found to be seriously hurt. He was placed on the train and brought to Dallas at once, where every possible attention was given him, but his injuries were of such a serious nature that surgical skill was of no avail and death followed a few hours later.

Williams' home was at 683 Missouri Avenue, Portland, where his wife and two children, a son and a daughter, reside. He had been employed in the logging camps at Black Rock for about 18 months, and was considered one of the best all-round workmen in the camp. He was agreeable, honest and industrious, and was well liked by his fellow workmen. General Superintendent T. B. Masters, of the Willamette Valley Lumber Company's camp, says that although Williams evidently feared no danger and was inclined to be careless at times, he was a highly capable and conscientious workman and one whose place will be hard to fill. His death is greatly regretted by every man in the camp. He was 31 years old, and a member of Falls City camp, Woodmen of the World, in which order he carried $2000 insurance.

Superintendent Masters and Hon. W. L. Tooze, representing the Falls City Woodman camp, accompanied the remains to Portland, Sunday morning. The funeral was held in the afternoon and burial took place in Riverview cemetery. Members of the drill team from Prospect Camp acted as pallbearers, and the services were conducted by the officers of Multnomah camp, who kindly performed the sad task at the request of the Falls City brethren.

The sympathy of a large number of Polk county people who were friends of the unfortunate man is extended to the bereaved family in Portland.