Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, November 5, l903

A most distressing and fatal accident occurred at the MARKS' saw mill on Jerry Adkins' farm some four miles northeast of this city late Wednesday evening.

While they were sawing, FRANK MARKS, the sawyer, stooped over and put his left hand to the saw presumably to see if it was hot, when in some manner the saw caught his arm and he was dragged forward into the saw and the left shoulder and part of the collar bone was cut off only a little skin on the back of the shoulder holding it. The subclavian artery was severed. Though so terribly injured, he walked to a tent nearby which the men were using, assisted by his father.

Drs. Logan and Ewing were hastily summoned and did all that could be done for the sufferer, but they realized that the case was hopeless and the victim passed away at 9:l5 last night.

His father, MR. NATHAN MARKS, seeing that the artery was cut, did a nervy and heroic act by putting his thumbs on the severed end of the artery and holding it until the arrival of the physicians, otherwise the patient would have bled to death in a short time.

The deceased was a young man, was about l9 years old and unmarried, and enjoyed the fullest confidence and respect of his acquaintances. It is a most deplorable accident and the bereaved family have the fullest sympathy of all.

Rev. Hingry will conduct the funeral services at the Freedom Church today at 2:00 p.m., after which the remains will be laid to rest in the Freedom Cemetery.

--CAINSVILLE NEWS.

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
March 30, 2003