Cave-in takes lives of 2 men
Shortly after noon on
Thursday last, two workmen, Fred Willis and James Henry Cronk,
engaged in sewer construction work, a few yards north of Sutton's
bridge, Norfolk Street, were victims of a cave-in soon after
returning to work.
Two other men were in the cut
at the time, but escaped, running in the opposite direction to that
taken by Willis and Cronk.
The falling material caught
the two men and completely buried them. Both died before they could
be rescued.
The bodies were examined by
Dr. Bowlby and under instructions from Dr. McIntosh, coroner, were
removed to Austin's undertaking parlors.
A jury with S. L. King as
foreman, was sworn in, and after viewing the remains, adjourned
until 20 Oct 1919 at 8 p.m., at the council Chambers.
Both men were employed by
that Mastic Paving Co. of Toronto, which is engaged in sewer and
road work here.
Fred Willis, who had his neck
broken and skull crushed, was an Englishman, 60 years of age, who
had made his home for a number of years with Mr. Ansley Culver, 178
Head Street, Simcoe. Reported as having no living relatives, he was
buried in Oakwood Cemetery on Saturday, 25 Oct 1919.
James Henry Cronk, who had
his skull fractured, along with ear and breast wounds, was
born in Canada, and a widower. Father of two children: a daughter 12
years of age and a son [7] years of age. Buried at Walsingham Centre
on Sunday, 24 Oct 1919.
the
inquest
The inquest on the deaths of
Fred Willis and James H. Cronk was held last night in the town hall,
at eight o'clock. Dr. McIntosh presided; Arthur Slaght represented
the crown; H. P. Innes, K.C., the town, and David Kelly for James
Cronk.
Dr. Bowlby state that both
men were dead when examined. Willis' neck was broken, causing
instant death, and Cronk's chest pressed in on the left side around
the heart, causing death.
Wm. Porter and Peter Karns,
the two men in the trench at the time of the accident, stated that
when the warning to "get out" was given by Foreman
Hucklebridge they ran to the south and that Willis and Cronk ran
north. Both thought the trench perfectly safe before the accident.
Other witnesses examined were
Arthur Gamble, John LaPlant, W. H. Peppin, Geo. Hucklebridge,
Colonel Aiken, Ernest Tedder, Floyd Denny, John Karns, Frank Cole
and George Gamble, all testifying that previous to the accident they
had considered the trench sale for working in.
"She looked safe as a
church to me," was the remark of Foreman Hucklebridge.
The jury, composed of Sam
King, foreman, James Fidlin, Wm Gilbertson, Hugh Austin, Robert
Alway, Dr. Arthur Burt, and Arthur West, retired at 10.40 and at
11.45 brought in the following.
Verdict
"That the said James
Cronk and Frederick Willis came to Their deaths on 23 Oct 1919 at
the hour of 2.25 p.m. or thereabouts, in the town of Simcoe, by the
caving-in of the east side of sewer or trench being constructed on
the northerly part of Norfolk St. near Sutton's bridge, and that the
caving in of the said sewer or trench was pure accidental.
"And the jurors
recommend for further safety to workmen or sewer construction that
all the traffic be diverted from such streets that sewers are being
constructed on."
