Beckham County, OK - Obits: Fred E. Garrett, 1926
13 Feb 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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GARRETT, FRED E.
(25 Mar 1926, Elk City News Democrat, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
The entire community was shocked to hear of the terrible accident which
cost the life of Fred Garrett, fifteen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J.
Garrett who live on west Third street, Tuesday morning.  The tragedy
occurred at the warehouse of the Elk City Compress Company, about ten
o'clock and as is generally the case in accidents of this nature, the
details surrounding the case are lacking.
We give the facts as nearly as could be learned from those connected with
the company and those who were nearby when it happened.
Fred Garrett applied for work early Tuesday morning and was given a job
where it was thought he would be perfectly safe, as there is always more
or less danger in the work around the large press.  He had, we are
informed, been especially warned against going into the pit for any reason
as it was dangerous and only the older and more experienced men were ever
permitted to do any work that necessitated going below.
It seems, however, that the boys on the small press were running short of
tie hooks and Fred went into the pit, unknown to any of the others, to get
some that had fallen beneath.  It was while he was down there that he
somehow got beneath the press.  The lever man who operates the press felt
the press strike something on the way down and it was immediately raised
again.
Investigation was made and the crushed body was found in the pit.  The
weight of the press is so tremendous that the body was mangled and torn so
badly it was impossible to recognize any resemblance of shape or features.
Grubitz and Son were called and the remains were brought to town for
arrangement for burial.  Interment was made Tuesday afternoon in the
Fairlawn cemetery, from the Christian church.
It appears that the accident was altogether unavoidable and in no way was
anyone to blame for the tragedy.  It seems almost unbelievable that such a
thing could have happened but the fact remains that it did and owing to
the fact that he took a chance.
CARD OF THANKS.
We take this means of expressing our thanks to our friend(s) for the many
kind words of sympathy and assistance during the tragic death of our son
and brother, Fred Elmore Garrett.
A. J. Garrett,
Lilly Garrett,
Hugh Garrett,
Bernice Garrett.

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