Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 March 1907 — GEORGE JOHNSON KILLED. [ARTICLE]

GEORGE JOHNSON KILLED.

Mt. Ayr Elevator Flan Falls From Building and Is Instantly Killed. Johnson, of the grain firm of Ponsler & Johnson of Mt. Ayr, was killed on Thursday of last week while assisting in putting in place a wooden chute leading from the elevator to a bin outside. It seems a new chute had been built and was being raised into position to make connections with the elevator. It was found on raising it to place that some cutting would have to be done on the upper end before it could be connected. Mr. Johnson went up inside the chute with a saw to do this butting while others held the bottom of the chute in place. It was tilted at an angle of about 45 degrees, and while Mr. Johnson was working inside the chute at the upper end it slipped and fell to the ground, a distance of some 20 or 25 feet, throwing the unfortunate man out upon the frozen ground, crushing in his forehead and killing him instantly. The deceased was about 48 years of age, and was a highly respected citizen. He leaves a wife and six children.