Matherly Uninjured in Ditch Cave-In

MATHERLY, RITTER, HILLIGAS

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes
Date: 10/11/2013 at 15:55:33

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
July 30, 1953

MATHERLY UNINJURED
IN DITCH CAVE-IN ON
WATER MAIN PROJECT

Bernard Matherly, city water superintendent, Monday escaped injury when he was caught and buried in a potentially dangerous ditch cave-in.

Mishap occurred on the water main project in the northeast part of town. Matherly was standing in the six-foot ditch, connecting a house pipe to the new main, when the side of the ditch collapsed, burying him under several hundred pounds of dirt.

Dick Ritter and Carl Hilligas, both of whom were working near Matherly, dug him out in a few minutes. Matherly suffered no injuries and continued work immediately.