OBIT: Frank DICK, 1918, Donnerstown, Blair County, PA

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BRICK WORKER ELECTROCUTED AT CLAYSBURG
Frank Dick, Aged 31, of Donnerstown, Killed by Touching Charged Lever

STORM BLEW DOWN A LIVE WIRE

  Grasping a lever on a clay-carrying device at the Standard Refactories 
plant, Claysburg, Frank Dick, aged 31, of Donnerstown, was electrocuted 
at 2:10 p.m. yesterday when a heavy storm blew a live wire again the 
handle.
  Dick was employed as a helper on the machine which was used to scoop 
the clay and convey it in buckets to the main plant.  An extension power 
wire, affixed to a pole and then attached to a board, was being use by 
the gang of men to operate the device.
  At the height of the storm, the board was overturned by the wind and 
the wire lodged against one of the buckets, made of steel.  Dick, instead 
of going to the switch to throw off the power, seized the operating 
lever, which was heavily charged, and an instant later he was prostrate.
  Four hundred and forty volts of the current passed through his body.  
His clothing was wet and he was standing on a damp board when the 
accident happened.  Samuel Brown, a companion worker, escaped injury, 
although he was dangerously near Dick.  Dr. C. W. Johnston, of Claysburg, 
was speedily summoned, but found the man beyond aid.
  Deput Coroner C. C. Rothrock, this city, was notified and will conduct 
an inquest this morning at Claysburg.  Frank Dick was a native of Taylor 
township, and was the son of Samuel Dick, deceased.  He leaves a wife, 
six children and several brothers and sisters.  He was a member of the 
Church of the Brethren.  Undertaker Jacob Carn, Claysburg, prepared the 
body for burial.  The interment will take place at Claar, Bedford county, 
later in the week.

Altoona Tribune, Thursday morning, July 25, 1918, page 1

ACCIDENTAL DEATH JURYMEN'S VERDICT
No One at Fault for Frank Dick's Demise - Recommend Safer Wire Handling

  Frank Dick, the Standard Refractories company employe at Claysburg, 
electrocuted Wednesday afternoon, came to his death accidentally, a 
coroner's jury found at an inquest yesterday, but recommended that a 
safer method of handling the electric power wire, be employed.
  Deputy Coroner C. C. Rothrock, of this city, conducted the formal probe 
at the undertaking rooms of Jacob Carn, at Claysburg, at 11:30 a.m.  Dick 
was instantly killed during a storm when a pole to which a highly charged 
wire was attached, fell and struck the machine where he was at work.
  Jacob Carn, E. M. Burket, G. A. Young, Clay Phillips, J. L. Carn and J. 
E. Weyandt were the jurors.  Their verdict is appended:
  "We find that Frank Dick came to his death by being electrocuted in the 
discharge of his duties, while in the employ of the Standard Refractories 
company, at Claysburg, and from the evidence, it was entirely accidental.  
We would recommend a more safe way to hand the wire and also that someone 
be put in charge of the machinery, competent to look after it."

Altoona Tribune, Friday morning, July 26, 1918, page 10