Short Circuit Electrocutes W.A. Howard at Water Station, Jan. 5, 1924

Burlington Man Electrocuted by a Short Circuit. . . W.A. Hoggard, Blacksmith for the City, Was Working at Water Station. . . Cause Is Not Clear. . . Negro, Who Witnessed Tragedy, Did Not Understand Seriousness and Doctor Arrived Too Late

Burlington, Jan. 4—W.A. Howard, aged about 40, was electrocuted yesterday afternoon late at the city water station while at work in the blacksmith shop.

He was a blacksmith for the city and started to make a chisel. He thrust the piece of steel into the firebox of a motor-driven bellows, and in some way made a short circuit which knocked him over and sent a current into his body that caused death a few minutes later.

Earl Davis, a negro, was near and saw what happened and saw Mr. Hoggard fall. He did not realize the seriousness of it, it seems, and called a doctor and waiting for him to come. When the doctor arrived a few minutes later Mr. Hoggard was breathing his last. It is thought the man might have lived if artificial respiration had been started and first aid given immediately.

No one seems to understand how the short circuit was created. The machine has never been considered dangerous. Tests have been made since, and a current of only 110 volts is all that could be found. There must have been some wires crossed somewhere, or the dampness of the weather might have caused a higher voltage than usual, causing the death of the man.

Mr. Hoggard has been here but a year. He is survived by his wife, who is from Winston-Salem. At this time arrangements have not been made for the funeral.

From page 2 of the Durham Morning Herald, Saturday, Jan. 5, 1924