General Chat

Wednesday 15 December 1880, Issue 6044 - EXETER - Fatal Accident At The Round Tree Mills. - On Thursday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, Exeter, before H. W. Hooper, Esq., City Coroner, on the body of HENRY WELLINGTON, a miller, thirty-eight years of age, who met with his death the previous day while at work at the Round Tree Mills, Bridge-street. Mr G. H. Shorto watched the proceedings on behalf of Mr W. Bastick, the deceased's employer. It appeared from the evidence that deceased was engaged in oiling the bearings of the upright shaft on the second floor, when he became entangled in the machinery. His arm was dragged between the spur wheel and the bevel wheel of the lay shaft, the cogs passing over and mangling it in a frightful manner. Hearing his cries, a man named John Middleweek, who was also at work in the same room as the deceased, immediately went to his assistance. By this time WELLINGTON had fallen to the floor in an exhausted state. Other persons employed by the firm arrived on the spot, and the injured man was conveyed in a pony and trap to the Hospital. Before that institution was reached WELLINGTON expired from loss of blood. Mr Bastick said the Government inspector had always expressed himself pleased with the way in which the machinery was protected. It was impossible to fence that part where deceased was at work, and lubricators had been put up to obviate the necessity of oiling the bearings whilst the machinery was in motion, and he had given instructions that the lubricators should not be filled when the mill was at work. The Coroner said there appeared to be no want of care on the part of Mr Bastick. The deceased was doing something to the machinery, no doubt, and got entangled in it. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." Deceased has left a widow and five children to mourn his sad fate.

John Middleweek was a rellie.