Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 April 1904 — Hold of a Live Wire. [ARTICLE]

Hold of a Live Wire.

Chauncy Dobbins, the interprising nine year old sou of the landlord of the Nowels House, was doing some of his star gymnastic stunts at the Washington street bridge, about five o’clock Saturday afternoon. He climbed up high and got hold of one of the electric light wires, then charged with a current for early lights in stores and houses. Having grasped the wire he could not let go, and the boys who were with him were too frightened to give him any assistance. 'By a lucky accident however Dr. S. C. Johnson happened along just then and he went to the boy’s assistance and rescued him. His fingers and hand were very badly turned, and the fingers drawn up. The doctor gave him treatment that relieved the pain and placed the fingers in

splints so as to prevent their being permanently crooked. Thus the boy will get out of it pretty nicely after all, but bad the current for the arc lights then been turned on, he would have been killed instantly. Not only himself but all other venturesome boys should be warned by tais 'accident to keep off the bridge, and away from all electric light and other wires.