FIERCE, Ira Christian 1858 - 1890

FIERCE, JONES, CASE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 3/28/2022 at 23:07:00

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, May 14, 1890
Page 3, Column 8

Mangled in a Fly Wheel

Ira C. FIERCE, owner of the city mills, got caught in a fly wheel this afternoon and is so badly injured that he will die.

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"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, May 14, 1890
Page 5, Column 3

Horrible Death of Ira C. FIERCE.

This afternoon about one o'clock Mr. FIERCE, proprietor of the flouring mills south of the C., B. & Q. depot, went into his engine room for the purpose of having his machinery started and in taking hold of the large fly wheel (which is a very old styled one about 16 feet in diameter) to start it, was caught and pulled down into the pit which is but little wider than the wheel and carried to the top, falling from there on the cylinder head, the arm of which crushed him still more. He was taken into his home near the mill and surgical aid summoned as quickly as possible. Drs. Worthington and Smith found there could be nothing done to save the poor fellows life. He died about 2 p.m.

Ira C. FIERCE was 33 years old and has lived in the city for several years and every one who knew him liked him, he was one of those quiet, good fellows, who when once acquainted you cannot help but like. February 14, 1888, he was married to Bessie JONES, daughter of Mrs. Rachael E. JONES, who is left to mourn for him. He has a sister living near Wooster, Mrs. Theodore CASE, and one brother, John FIERCE, who went west about eight years ago, which we think are all the relatives he has living.

The funeral services will take place a (sic) the Catholic church tomorrow at 2 p.m.

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, May 21, 1890
Page 3, Column 8

CAUGHT IN A FLY WHEEL.
Shocking Death of Ira C. FIERCE in the Machinery of a Mill.

Last week's LEDGER noted the fatal injury of Ira C. FIERCE, proprietor of what is known as the City Flouring Mills of this city, Wednesday afternoon. The accident occurred about 1 o'clock, a watch in the unfortunate man's pocket stopping at 12:53, and death resulted about an hour later. During this time Mr. FIERCE was wholly unconscious, and with the terrible injuries he had sustained it seems remarkable that he should have held on to life as long as he did. Deceased had but recently come into the management of this property, although he had owned it for two years past, and had lately been engaged in overhauling and refitting it. When the accident occurred he was in the engine room with J. W. Cox, the engineer, and the latter's father John Cox. Steam had been turned on to warm the cylinder before starting, and, it was supposed, shut off again. The three men took hold of the fly wheel, a huge, wooden armed, iron rimmed affair, fourteen feet in diameter, to move the engine off its center, Mr. FIERCE, both men think, putting his feet on one of the arms or spokes. Either the steam had not been entirely shut off or enough had found its way into the cylinder to start the engine with considerable velocity, and the unfortunate man got caught on the wheel, was dragged down into the narrow pit, breaking a number of iron rods and pipes in his descent, and was carried to its highest elevation. Thence he was thrown down to the iron bed plate, a distance of several feet, face upwards, the huge piston rod descending upon him and crushing him terribly about the breast. By this time the machinery had been stopped, but the poor fellow was so terribly maimed that he was almost lifeless. He was removed to his home a short distance away and surgical assistance summoned, but when Drs. Smith and Worthington arrived they saw that he was beyond any aid that they might give him. An examination showed a frightful contusion on the left breast, all the ribs being crushed, a fracture of the skull and a compound fracture of the left leg. The lungs had also been ruptured and every respiration was accompanied by an agonizing groan. The face was bruised and torn, and, foul as it was with the accumulations of the pit, was wholly unrecognizable. But the poor fellow was not to suffer long, for death shortly came to his relief.

Ira C. FIERCE was thirty-three years of age, and was a native of this county. He grew to manhood in Cedar township, coming to this city six or seven years ago. About that time he purchased the lot on which THE LEDGER office now stands and shortly afterward erected the building upon it. In the spring of 1888 he was married to Miss Elizabeth JONES of this city, who survives him. He was a young man of excellent habits, honest, industrious and energetic. Among those who knew him best he had many warm friendships, and his tragic death will be deeply regretted by a large circle of acquaintances in both city and country. Funeral services were held a the Catholic church, this city, Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev. H. B. Kelley.

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

Note: Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, in Lot Old.P.191. Wife Elizabeth subsequently remarried, to Frank J. EDWARDS, died in 1956, and was buried with Frank also in Evergreen in Lot 3rd.163.