Payette County ID Archives Obituaries.....Anderson, Ralph W. 1914
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Cheryl Hanson ihansonb@fmtc.com February 21, 2006, 12:34 am

Payette Independent 8-20-1914
Payette Independent
Payette, Idaho
Thursday, August 20, 1914
 
RALPH ANDERSON ELECTROCUTED
 
The community was deeply grieved to learn of the electrocution of Ralph A. 
Anderson on Thursday evening, August 13th, at about 10:10 P. M., while he was 
at work on the dredge boat on the intake canal of the Payette Oregon Slope 
pumping plant.  At the time of the accident he was standing on the pump base 
and was bending back a piece of sheet iron so he could get a water glad that 
needed attention.  In some unknown manner the piece of sheet iron came in 
contact with a slightly exposed wire which grounded the current, causing 
almost instantaneous death.  The voltage was light, probably not over 350.  
The three other workmen with him on the night shift were a short distance away 
and did not reach the switch until the current had held him probably five 
seconds.  Dr. J. C. Woodward was immediately summoned and reached the scene by 
auto in a short time.  Pending the arrival of the doctor his fellow workmen, 
assisted by head electrician Davis from the plant, made every effort they knew 
of to resuscitate Anderson but life was extinct before the doctor arrived.  
The body was taken by auto to the home of his parents and later removed to 
Wood & Spaulding's undertaking parlors and from there shipped to the old home 
at Taylorville, Illinois.
 
Mr. Anderson was president of the Payette-Oregon Slope irrigation district.  
He was an exemplary citizen and well and favorably known, and had many friends 
in this community.
 
The following is from The (Taylorville) Daily Breeze.
 
Arch Anderson received a wire this morning that Ralph Anderson, his nephew, 
the son of his brother, Riley Anderson, had been electrocuted at Payette, 
Idaho.
 
No details were included in the message but a later one received at 1:15 in 
answer to inquiry sent to the Independent of Payette, after the first was 
read, stated that he was working on a dredge boat in the canal between Snake 
river and Snow Moody pumping plant, fixing a water gland when he came in 
contact with a live wire which killed him instantly.
 
Mr. Anderson, a Taylorville boy, had been engaged in the irrigation work for 
about four years, first as an assistant civil engineer and later as a steam 
engineer on the dredge  boat upon which he came to his death.
 
After he became satisfied with the work there he prevailed upon his parents to 
move there and buy a farm upon which they and Ralph made their home, Ralph 
having just finished a new house for his and his wife's occupancy.
 
The latest message stated that the body would be sent here for burial.  It is 
not expected until the first of the week and the funeral arrangements will not 
be made until the arrival of the remains.
 
BIOGRAPHY
 
Ralph Anderson was born in Taylorville, January 1, 1881, at 802 East Franklin 
street, and was aged at death 30 years, 7 months and 13 days.
 
He attended the city schools and the high school, although he lacked a year of 
finishing the course in the latter institution.  About the time that Ralph 
reached his teens his father sold his interest in the Anderson Brothers 
(unreadable) manufacturing company to Arch Anderson and moved to his farm 
south of Taylorville where they lived until three years ago when they moved to 
Payette.
 
Ralph was one of the best musicians of Taylorville during his residence here, 
being a member of the band and opera house orchestra, and was able to play any 
kind of a horn or other instrument used in a band or orchestra.
 
Four years ago he accepted a position with a large irrigation company at 
Payette and after being there a year persuaded his parents to also move there, 
which they did, buying a farm within the irrigated district.
 
He was married in Decatur May 8, 1912, to Miss Alma Thornton, of Rochester, 
for several years a a teacher in the West school here, and his trip here then 
was the last time he has visited Taylorville.
 
He is survived by his wife, father and mother, a sister, Mrs. Charles Hafliger 
of South Anderson street in this city, and eight brothers and sisters living 
at home.  They are Cyrus, Anna, Wheeler, Ruth, Howard, Russel, Fred and Keith.

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