Roland A. Westcott 1889-1907

WESTCOTT, BURDICK, BURDIX, LESHER, FROST, WALTER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/7/2011 at 23:29:51

Horrible Accident
Two Men Killed on Arnett & Lesher Ditching Outfit at Dunnell
Broken Sweep Hits Both
Roland Westcott and John Burdix the Victims – Both Resided in This City
A horrible accident occurred on the Arnett & Lesher ditching outfit near Dunnell Monday morning, the result of which two men were killed. John Burdix was killed instantly and Roland Westcott died at five o’clock Tuesday morning from the effects of his injury. As near as we have been able to learn at this writing both were driving the teams hitched to a sweep of a capstan, when without a moment’s warning the sweep broke near the upper end and with terrific force struck both on the head. Roland Westcott was rendered unconscious from which he never recovered and died several hours later. He is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Westcott, living northeast of this city, and is a nephew of W. A. Lesher, one of the owners of the ditching outfit. John Burdix is almost a stranger here, having been employed only recently by Messrs. Arnett & Lesher. For several weeks prior to that time he worked at the European Hotel. His relatives reside at Watertown, Wis. The remains of both were brought here yesterday.

From what the Democrat has been able to learn the accident did not happen through the carelessness of any one. The sweep had been examined a short time before and from all appearances was in perfect condition. It is sad, indeed. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, September 11, 1907)

Terrible Accident
Roland Westcott and John Burdick Killed by Capstan Sweep
Were Stringing Cable
Workmen for Lesher and Arnett Ditching Outfit hit by Fast Revolving Capstan Sweep
A terrible accident occurred at the Arnett and Lesher ditching camp near Dunnell Monday afternoon at about 5:15 by which two young men Roland Westcott and John Burdick lost their lives.

They were moving a capstan, which is done by hitching eight horses to a cable. There is a clutch to lock the capstan so it will not turn when pulling on the cable. This clutch of “Jack” as it is called broke and let the cable play out which threw the sweep of the capstan around with terrific force. The boys, for they were scarcely more, were driving the teams and when the sweep came around both of them were in its reach and both were struck by the fast revolving sweep. Burdick was killed outright and Roland Westcott lived till five o’clock Tuesday morning. Harry Toll was present and sitting on the sweep when the clutch broke. He tried to warn the boys, but it was done so quickly that they had no time to dodge. Toll was thrown to the ground but was not injured. Dr. Anderson was telephone for, and he and Mr. Lesher went to the scene of the accident as quickly as possible but the injuries to Roland Westcott – the sweep struck him on the head – were such that nothing could be done for him. Roland Westcott had only been working for the firm a short time. He was a young man about eighteen years of age. His parents live two and one half miles east of Estherville.

John Burdick came here from St. James, Minn., and worked at the European hotel up to about a month ago when he went to work for Arnett and Lesher. We know that his was at Watertown.

This makes three deaths caused by accidents for this ditching outfit since it started two years ago. Last season a young man named Church was killed by a whiffletree breaking and the evener flying back and striking him.

The bodies of the deceased boys will be taken to their homes. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, September 11, 1907)

Dies From Injuries
Roland Westcott is Accidentally Killed
Brother of Mrs. Hardy Walter of this City and Mrs. E. M. Frost of Washington Township
A special from Estherville states that an accident resulting in the death of Roland Westcott and John Burdick, both of Estherville, occurred near Dunnell, Minn., Monday evening. These two were part of the crew of Arnett and Lesher, who ran a large ditcher. The power is furnished through large capstans to which are hitched eight horses on the end of a fifteen or twenty-foot sweep. It was here that the accident occurred. The chain which was attached to the sweep broke while the horses were pulling, allowing the sweep to fly back and catch the two men directly behind it. Brudick was instantly killed and Westcott died the next morning. Roland Westcott was a brother of Mrs. Hardy Walter of this city and Mrs. E. H. Frost of Washington township. (Hawarden Independent, Hawarden, IA, September 12, 1907)