Obituaries: Silas Mercer, 1964, Winn Parish, LA. Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: March 12, 1964 Winn Parish Enterprise-News American Freak Sawmill Accident Fatal To Winn Resident Silas Mercer, 68 year old Ward 2 resident, and mail carrier of Tullos Star Route, was killed in a sawmill accident at his home four miles west of Tullos Saturday, March 7, at 3 p.m. Winn Chief Deputy J. J. Crippen said Mercer's pants leg became entangled in a pulley andhe was whipped against the ground several times. Crippen said the Winn Coroner's office reported death resulted from multiple body injuries. Crippen said that Mercer and his son, Floyd, were working at the mill. The gasoline driven power unit operating the mill was housed in a small building. A metal shaft ran from the building power unit to the mill supplying its power. Mercer had built a wooded pulley around the shaft. Two iron bolts held this pulley together and each bolt protruded from the wood about two inches, Crippen added. Mercer attempted to step over the shaft and his pants leg was caught by the bolts in the pulley. Crippen said Mercer's son suffered a broken finger while attempting to free his father. Other survivors include the victim's wife, three brothers, Earley Mercer, Tullos, Luther Mercer, Bastrop, Hillary Mercer, Oak Grove; three sisters, Mrs. W. P. Burns, Winnfield, Mrs. J. O. Lincecum, Dodson, and Mrs. D. W. Wilson, Tullos; a daughter, Mrs. Mildred Sanson, Shreveport. Funeral services were conducted in the Crossroads Baptist Church Sunday with the Rev. Willie Broadway and Rev. Doris Dearman officiating. Graveside Masonic services were held under the direction of Urania Masonic Lodge. Serving as pallbearers included Cecil Couch, David Sanders, Wesley Cox, Earnerst Curry, Henry Pendarvis, and Arthur Burns.