JOHNSON, Lowell - buried - Putnam

Two farmers were severely injured and a third escaped with minor bruises when a load of hay upset in the ditch as it was driven out of the hay field onto a gravel road at a farm on the Clay-Putnam county line east of Asherville late Thursday afternoon.  As the loaded wagon was turned out of the field into the road, one of the wheels gave way and caused the heavy load of hay to upset in the road. Moses Rissler and Lowell Johnson were buried under the mass 'of hay. but William Johnson was thrown clear of the wrecked wagon. He escaped with minor bruises but both Rissler and Lowell Johnson sustained painful injuries. The tines of a pitch fork were forced completely thru Rissler’s left leg at the knee and he was painfully bruised about the head. Lowell Johnson sustained several fractured ribs and may be injured internally.  William Johnson rescued the injured men from under the load of hay and they were taken to their homes and a physician summoned. The gears of the wagon were broken and  it was practically a complete wreck. – thanks so much to MLH