WASSON, Howard
Source: Kingman Star Friday, August 21 1908
One of the saddest and unexpected deaths The Star has been called upon to chronicle for some time, occurred about 9 o’clock Tuesday morning when HOWARD WASSON’s body was crushed until death resulted by the ‘cave in’ of a gravel pit. Mr. Wasson had gone to the pit after his second load and on the way had been accompanied by the road boss to whom he remarked that gravel pits were very dangerous and that he intended to be very careful that one of the cave-ins did not catch him. Before he had driven into the pit at this particular point some of the nearby workmen had warned him about its dangerousness, but he drove in and was standing with his back to the overhanging dirt shoveling gravel into his wagon when an immense avalanche of dirt came rushing down upon him before he could move and covered his legs so that he could not move. Immediately other dirt came rushing along like a river of earth until his head was covered to the depth of 18 inches. Joe Cory was standing nearby and gave the alarm and soon a number of fellow workmen were on the scene with shovels to dig the unfortunate man from his living tomb. After digging down to the depth stated above, the body was found and to their surprise Mr. Wasson was still conscious. They hastily removed the body to his home just south of Freedom church. Drs. Wert and Caplinger of Wallace, Dr. Shoaf of Veedersburg were summoned. They were not long in getting there and applied all medical aid, but to no avail. Upon examination they found the breast bone badly crushed which caused a hymorage which was the direct cause of death.
It was also found the shovel he held in his hand had been caught by the onrushing tons of dirt and was carried edgewise against his leg, cutting and crushing it to the bone. There was another large gash on his right arm, which the rescuers could not account for unless some of the workmen inflicked it while digging him out. Death came within about two hours after he reached his home and was very sudden. Deceased was a man about 50 years old and leaves a beloved wife and an only grandson Chas. Bellis, besides a host of friends to mourn his sad loss. He is the father of Mrs. Lula Bellis who was killed on Friday, Aug 17 1906, when that terrible bolt of electricity descended and struck the church at Wallace, it being almost two years to the day from the time of the daughter’s death until the father was called to his reward. Decedent was one of Jackson townships most substantial citizens and his sad and tragic death will be mourned by the entire community.