McGrath, Edward C. (1907)

MCGRATH, JOHNSON, WISECARVER

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes (email)
Date: 4/27/2010 at 08:17:44

Grinnell Herald (Grinnell, Iowa) Jan. 4, 1907

EDWARD C. MCGRATH BURIED

The body of Edward McGrath, who met an accidental death in the Morrell Packing Co.'s plant at Ottumwa, was buried here Tuesday afternoon, the remains being accompanied to this city by his mother, Mrs. Mary McGrath, who was visiting in Ottumwa at the time of the accident, the bereaved widow, Mrs. Theresa McGrath and his brother, P.A. McGrath, who is also in the employ of the Morrell Co. Two sisters, Mrs. Wm. Johnson of Des Moines and Mrs. Edward Wisecarver of this city also survive him.

The deceased was thirty-two years of age just in the prime of his life, with the prospect of many happy years of success ahead of him. He was a steady reliable workman and at the time of his death was foreman of the pipe gang in the packing works. He was a loving husband and a kind son. All who knew him recognize in his untimely demise the loss of an honest man, a tender hearted friend and relative and a good, industrious citizen.

There seems to be considerable doubt as to the exact cause of the accident and it would hardly seem to the casual observer that the coroner's inquest had gone very deeply into it. Mr. McGrath was standing on a pipe at the time of the accident about 18 feet from the floor working on another pipe about four feet above the one on which he was standing. Suddenly he was seen without warning falling from the pipe. He lit on his feet fell over and was caught by his brother who was working near by. With but one gasp he was dead. Another workman who was employed on the same pipe near by testified at the inquest that at the time he felt an electric shock which so cramped his hand that he had to slide it off the end of his monkey-wrench in order to let loose. He also testified to receiving similar shocks from the pipes at other times.

It is known that Mr. McGrath was extremely sensitive to electricity and it is believed by many of his friends that this was the real cause of his death as they believe that otherwise he could have caught himself on other pipes as he fell.

The company's electricians testified, however, that the wires over the pipes were perfectly insulated and that no current could have been in the pipes. It was also testified on the stand that the deceased had complained recently of heart trouble. At best however, the decision of the coroner's jury is incomplete and unsatisfactory.