Edice Brittell (died 1885)

BRITTELL

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 12/4/2009 at 22:20:26

Maquoketa Excelsior, October 31, 1885

INSTANT DEATH
A Jackson County Young Man Meets It In California

Edice Brittell, son of F. Brittell, was instantly killed near Eureka, California, on the 14th inst. From a local paper we learn that he was at work on a logging claim. Logs were being sent down a chute and he was standing close to the chute at the time a large log was started. The usual warning was given by the men at the top of the chute that a log was coming, but he did not stand far enough away to be out of danger. The rain of the night before had made the chute rather slippery, and the log came down swifter than is usual. About sixty feet above where Brittell was standing, there was a curve in the chute, and when the log reached this point it was going at such a rate of speed that it flew out of the chute and struck a large piece of timber, or “splinter” as a logger would term it. The splinter turned end over end, one ragged end striking Brittell on the face and neck, almost severing his head from his body.

A coroner’s jury found a verdict in accordance with these facts, and also exhonerated all parties concerned from the imputation of any blame whatever. Edice Brittell was about 26 years of age, and unmarried. He was reared in Maquoketa, and learned the tinner’s trade in Munger & Shaw’s shop. He was a steady, industrious young man, ambitious to get on in the world. It was this ambition that took him about two years ago to the far off place where he met his death.