Miscellaneous, Perilous Position of Harvey Wood at Darlin & Howell's Mill (1910)

Coat Caught in Shafting

Perilous Position of Harvey Wood at Darlin & Howell's Mill

Bainbridge Republican,  Dec. 29, 1910

 

Harvey Wood had a thrilling experience Wednesday forenoon at the Darlin & Howell mill in this village [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY] and narrowly escaped death or very serious injuries.  He is employed at this place where there is in operation all the necessary machinery for grinding feed.  The plant is a large one.  He was standing on a scaffold near the roof in the third story of the building adjusting a piece of machinery which at the time was stationary and nearby ran the shafting which was in motion.  He was alone in this part of the building and none of the others connected with the plant were aware of his whereabouts at the time.  His coat caught in the shafting and seeing danger he grasped a heavy beam.  His clinging to this beam kept his clothing from winding about and revolving him or throwing him against the roof which was distant only a few feet and which would have dashed him to pieces.  The shafting turned in his clothes while he held tight to the beam.  He was in this perilous condition for five minutes or more and his strength was fast failing him, when Mr. Howell happened to go to this part of the mill for something and was attracted by he feeble call for help.  Before all assistance had been beyond the sound of his voice.  Mr. Howell rushed to him and with his knife cut the clothing, and before Wood could be finally extricated all but his underclothing was torn from his body as it took all of Mr. Howell's strength to keep Wood from following the shafting.  There was not time to go below to stop the machinery.  Aside from the shock and a few bruises he escaped unarmed, but he says that he could not have held out much longer and Mr. Howell rescued him just in time.