Baby TRAVIS' Accident

TRAVIS, DAVID, KING, SHAFFER

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 1/24/2007 at 15:31:28

"Fairfield Ledger", March 5, 1868

Accident.--- A very strange and unusual accident occurred in front of our office on Tuesday morning last. Mr. TRAVIS and family, of Birmingham, started to go home. They had a light covered wagon. Before going they procured a hot brick for Mrs. TRAVIS to place her feet on. When opposite our office she found the hay that was wrapped around the brick was on fire. She cried out, which startled the horses, and handed the child, wrapped up, to Mr. TRAVIS, who, supposing it to be a bundle, pitched it out. Mrs. TRAVIS’ dress was burning, but by the assistance of a number of men, the flames were soon extinguished, as was also the fire in the wagon.--- The child was taken into Mr. DAVID’s store, where it was examined by Drs. KING and SHAFFER, and was afterwards taken to Dr. KING’s office. The child struck the ground with the back of its head, and the force of the fall broke the skull at the sutures, and made one part of the skull overlap the other nearly half an inch. The skull was put back to its right position, although there are doubtless small pieces of the skull which will come out. The child, which is only about 6 months old, suffered greatly, but it is thought that it will recover.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.