The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., June 20, 1930, page 4
A.J. CRANE ELECTROCUTED AT OUTLOOK
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Wire Expert of Telephone Firm Falls To Death --Resuscitation Work By first
Aid Team In Vain
Sunnyside, June 11 -- Albert J. Crane age 26, chief lineman for the Oregon-Washington Telephone Co. here, plunged to his death this morning when he received a 6600 volt charge through his hands and dropped 25 feet from the pole on which he was working. Crane was wearing his safety belt at the time, but it was presumed he reached up with both hands and when the shock came, was jerked from the pole and sent spinning.
RESUSCITATION EFFORT VAIN
Crane had been called out early this morning and at 8:20,
when the accident occurred, was repairing the line across from the O.D. Wodoll
place near Outlook. Woodall was at work in his field but looked up just in
time to see Crane's body hurtle to the ground. He at once rushed across the
canal bridge to the place where the body had fallen, but found Crane had
apparently been killed instantly by the shock.
Even so the first aid team of the Pacific Power &
Light Co. attempted resuscitation for two hours, but no sign of life could
be discerned at any time by the physicians who had been summoned. Manager
Leonard Howard of the telephone company and Manager J.C. Hamilton of the
power firm both gave all the assistance of their combined resources but all
the effort was in vain.
RECEIVES FULL CHARGE
Crane apparently received the full power charge through both
hands, burn marks on the palms indicated. The accident was due to the fact
that a power line had fallen across the telephone wires during last night's
wind storm.
The old tale of the man who lost his kingdom for want
of a shoe has something of a parallel in Crane's death. Mr. Woodall reported
after the accident that he noticed a day or so ago that, in burning brush,
some of the power poles had become charred and weakened. The pole damaged
by the flames, gave way before the storm last night and thus caused the power
contact. Woodall added that he had intended to report the danger to the company,
but for some reason no action was taken.
WAS COMMUNITY LEADER
Crane was the chief "trouble shooter" for the company
in the Sunnyside district and had a great number of friends, whom he had
won by his splendid personality and his readiness to serve his community
and associates. He was an active member of the Masonic lodge, on next Monday
evening was slated to take office as president of the enterprising Sunnyside
Active Club.
The dead man is survived by his parents, who make their
home at Lyle, and by a brother at Centralia.
Deputy Prosecutor M.C. Delle, left this afternoon for
Sunnyside to investigate the accident. He was notified by W.C. Ball, undertaker
and deputy coroner.
The funeral was held at Lyle Sunday
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon for Albert Crane in the Lyle gymnasium. He was electrocuted Wednesday, June 11th, at Sunnyside, by a high power line coming in contact with the telephone line that he was working on. A large crowd attended the funeral and there were many beautiful floral offerings. Their many friends extend deepest sympathy to the bereaved parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.V. Crane, and brother, Ernest Crane.
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© Jeffrey L. Elmer