Wilson Risks His Life
to Save Two Men. . . Bell, Negro Blacksmith, Dies from Shock, and Mr. Stegall
Probably Owes His Life to Wilson
David Bell, colored, was almost instantly killed and Mr.
Paul Stegall would probably have met his death had it not been for the heroic
conduct of Mr. M. Wilson Monday morning when 2,200 volts of electricity were
thrown into the wires leading into the Austin-Sikes’ shop.
Bell and Mr. Stegall, blacksmiths, were heating a heavy
piece of iron in the small forge, the bellows of which is operated by a
200-volt electric motor, when the wires, in some manner, were surcharged with
an extra voltage of 2,200. Such strong power immediately electrified the forge,
the iron, which the two were holding, and other parts of the shop. The two
blacksmiths were unable to drop the iron or pull away from the forge, and it
appeared that both would be electrocuted, until Mr. Wilson, who was standing
near the shop, went to their aid. Having a slight knowledge of electricity, he
knew it would be certain death to grasp the men, and believing it would be
equally dangerous to pull the switch on account of the strong voltage in the
shop, he quickly decided on extreme measures. Running his right hand up into
his coat sleeve, he made a terrific sideswipe lunge at the two, knocking both
of them down. Contact with the two men knocked Mr. Wilson unconscious for a few
sections, but on recovering he rushed immediately up town for a doctor. Mr. Stegall
was knocked almost out of the shop, and his head struck the pavement. He
remained unconscious for several minutes, and for a time it was thought he had
been killed. Bell died almost instantly.
Shortly after Mr. Bell had risked his life to save Mr.
Stegall, Mr. Henry Austin, one of the proprietors of the shop, rushed in and
pulled the switch. No one else was in the shop at the time besides the two
workmen and Mr. Wilson.
Mr. Wilson’s heroism has elicited the admiration of the
Monroe people, and a movement is now on foot to secure him a Carnegie medal.
Mayor J.C. Sikes stated this morning that he was going to communicate with the
Carnegie foundation committee in an effort to around interest in the young man’s
deed. Mr. Wilson has been living in Monroe three years. He is connected with
the Monroe Iron and Metal Co.
Bell was considered a good workman. He had been in the
employ of the Austin-Sikes Co. for about three years. Mr. Stegall is recovering
from his terrible experience, and it is thought he will be able to be at work
in a few days.
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