Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1911 — BOY’S SKULL IS CRUSHED. [ARTICLE]

BOY’S SKULL IS CRUSHED.

Breaking of a Belt Causes the Idler to Burst. Talbot, July 27. —A most deplorable accident occurred on the farm of Leonard Latighlin, east of town last Saturday morning. The thrashing outfit was at work thrashing Mr. Laughlin’s oats, when the blower belt blew off and with it.came some parts of which struck John Martin on the head, crushing his skull. He was riding on a grain wagon with Oscar Johnson when the accident occurred. Drs. Cook and Flack were called at once and on their arrival immediately operated on the poor little fellow and did everything in their power to give relief. Sunday he/was taken to the St. hospital at Lafayette and another operation performed. This operation did not accomplish the desired result, and he died Thursday morning at 4 o’clock. John Martin was thirteen years of age. He is the son of Mrs. Lizzie Martin of Boswell, but was here visitng his aunt, Mrs. George Lerman. He was a bright, quick, manly little fellow and was well liked by all. The people in this neighborhood regret the sad accident very much.