James A. Shelley

SHELLEY

Posted By: Betty Woollums (email)
Date: 3/2/2007 at 07:53:47

The Ottumwa Courier Tuesday Jan.6, 1903
SUFFERING ENDS J.A. SHELLEY VICTIM OF ACCIDENT AT PACKING HOUSE DIES.
Fell from third story of plant. Was taken to Ottumwa hospital where he lingered between life and death for two weeks - remains to be taken to Danville.

After seventeen days of suffering from injuries recieved by falling through an elevator shaft from the third floor of the Morrell packing plant James A. Shelley passed away at 8 o'clock this morning. After a fatal fall the man was taken to the Ottumwa Hospital and soon showed signs of recovery. And about two weeks ago however, he was taken worse and his injuries soon brought lock jaw from which he expired this morning.
The deceased was 47 years old and is survived by his wife and four children. The remains were taken to the home of the deceased at 1222 Railroad St. and will be taken tomorrow on the Wabash to Belknap and thence to Dunnville where the internment will be made.The family of the deceased are prostrated with grief.
FELL THREE STORIES.
The accident which caused the death of Mr. Shelley happened before 7 o'clock on the morning of December 20 last. The deceased was employed at the plant and had just started work and according to supposition as there were no eye witnesses to the accident, he evidently thought the elevator had stopped on the third floor. The men at work were startled by a shrill scream and the noise of a truck bumping against the side of the elevator shaft and ran into the ground floor to find the unconcious body of their fellow employee bruised and bleeding in the cinders with which the bottom of the shaft is strewn. The truck was also found in the bottom of the elevator shaft and it is thought he was unable to see clearly in the semi darkness pushed the truck through the open shaft and was dragged down before he could recover his balance.
THOUGHT WOULD RECOVER
When found the victim of the unfortunate accident was bruised about the arms and body where it is supposed he struck against the sides of the shaft but no bones were broken. The man was at once taken to the Ottumwa hospital and although he remained unconscious for some hours his injuries were found to be less consequence than was first feared. His condition was improving gradually and it was thought that he would soon recover when lock jaw set in and he failed gradually unti his death this morning.