Friday, March 24, 2023

Lee Houser Killed While Demolishing Old House, March 24, 1923

Man Is Killed by Falling House. . . Two of His Children Barely Escape. . . North Brook Man Shouts Warning to His Children but Is Himself Crushed to Death

Lincoln County News

Shouting a warning to his two small children, W. Lee Houser, whose home is in the North Brook section of this county near Beam’s store, was crushed to death by the collapse of a section of an old house, which he was engaged in demolishing when the fatal accident occurred.

The unfortunate victim of the horrible tragedy had only recently finished the erection of a new home and was occupied in tearing down the old structure. Tuesday morning about 9 o’clock, the time of the casualty, he had removed the ceiling and weather boarding, leaving only the roof and studding, when suddenly, without warning, the remaining part of the frame crashed down upon him with terrific force, striking him in the back of the neck and bending him forward so violently that his back was broken and several ribs pushed in until they penetrated the lungs.

Two small children of the victim were playing about the old building near their father at the time of the disaster, but miraculously escaped injury. The deceased, who was about 40 years of age, is survived by his second wife, formerly Miss Ethel Chillers, and 11 children. He was twice married, first to Miss Ida Saine, now deceased, who was the mother of eight of the surviving children.

The deceased was a son of J.E. Houser of Lincolnton. Also surviving are two brothers, Mart and Calivn Houser, and two sisters, Mrs. George Davis and Mrs. Joe Brindle.

The funeral and burial services were conducted Wednesday at Hulls Grove Baptist Church, of which church he was a member, by Rev. Mr. Dalpha. One of the largest crowds ever present at Hulls Grove for a funeral was in attendance.

He was a man of irreproachable character, a loving husband and father, an upright citizen and a staunch and loyal friend. The grief of the bereaved family is shared by the entire community.

From the front page of the Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., March 24, 1923

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