RIVERS, James H.

Date of birth:  About 1866
Date of death: 30 Aug 1892 Bargersville, Johnson Co Indiana

The Franklin Democrat, Friday, September 2, 1892, page 6

“BOYS I AM KILLED!”

––––––––

HORRIBLE ACCIDENT NEAR BAR-
GERSVILLE

––––––––

James H. Rivers Meets a Terrible Death
in a Saw Mill

––––––––

The Plummer saw mill, one mile west of Bargersville, was the scene of a terrible and fatal accident Tuesday morning about 10 o’clock.

While carrying away timber, as it was sawed from the log, James H. Rivers tripped and fell upon the saw resulting in death a few minutes afterwards.

The details of the accident are as follows: A plank had been sawed off and the carrier moved back ready to feed the log to the saw again; Rivers stepped in front of the saw, picked up the plank to carry it away and when in the act of lifting it he became over­balanced and started to step backwards to save himself. His heel caught and he fell upon the lower saw which carried him up over it and between the two circular saws throwing his mangled body on the opposite side. His left leg was entirely severed near the hip joint, only a small muscular thread remaining intact. The saw passed from the base of the body upwards tearing out the en­trails and scattering them all around. The body was horribly lacerated and presented a most sickening appear­ance. It was all done in an instant. To give aid was impossible. The other workman who saw Rivers falling almost the same instant saw his form mangled beyond description. As he passed through the saws he exclaimed, “Boys I am killed.” These were the last words he uttered. He immediately fell into a swoon and died in fifteen minutes afterwards.

Four men were employed in the mill. A physician was sent for at once, but the nature and extent of the wounds were such as to render any human aid impossible. The life blood poured out from almost every vein and artery in the body and with it life also departed.

James H. Rivers was a man of indus­trious habits and highly respected by his acquaintances. He was 26 years old, had a wife and one child who are thus suddenly called upon to endure one of the most sorrowful ordeals of life.

The funeral was held at 5 o’clock, Tuesday evening. Burial at the Bargers­ville cemetery.

Link to James H. Rivers’ grave

Submitted by Mark McCrady and Cathea Curry