HARDEN, Eugene M. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Covington, Ind April 22 - Eugene M. HARDEN, 57, for many years connected with the Covington Light & Water Company was electrocuted last night at 9:30 when he grasped a wire carrying a voltage of 2,560 (sic). It was some time before the power could be turned off and when the body was carried to a nearby house it was learned that nothing could be done to resuscitate him. Mr. Harden was killed while endeavoring to remedy some trouble on the lines. One of the lighting wires had come in contact with a tree and the insulation had been removed by the constant friction the power was shut off and Harden cut the wires. The power was again ordered on and believing he had a dead wire, the unfortunate man sought to move it out of the way. When he grasped it those nar him knew that something was wrong. His assistant, Floyd Cage, realizing that Harden had hole of a live wire, hurried to the plant and had the power shut off. The body was then carried to the porch of the hoe of J Loeb, where efforts were made to revive him. It was learned after the accident the wire had fallen across a high tension wire carrying 2,650 (sic) volts and this current had gone through the body of the unfortunate man. Mr. Harden is survived by the widow and the following children: Orville and Edwin harden, residing at Fithian, Ill; Frost and Ollie, living in Covington and Cleta and Patience at home. A brother, Olie Harden lives in Danville where he conducts a printing office. The deceased had been connected with the light plant for a number of years and since the death of HT Yount, a number of years ago had been superintendent. The news of his tragic death has cast a gloom over Covington and surrounding country where he was extremely well known.