DAVID W. ROBERTS. WELLS, RUTLAND COUNTY, VERMONT.
A THIRD QUARRY FATALITY.
ONE OF THE PROPRIETORS KILLED BY A FALLING DERRICK.The Hoisting Apparatus Was Overloaded, the Boom Broke and the Derrick Mast Came Down - A Veteran Quarryman and Most Estimable Citizen.
The slate quarries of late are crowding the mortuary record. The SENTINEL last week chronicled the death of two men who met their fate in the slate works, Rowland M. Williams, who was crushed under a six ton rock, and a Hungarian who was fatally injured by the falling of a cable carriage. The graves of these victims had scarcely been filled when the community was shocked by another accident of a similar character. This time the fatal shaft of Death comes to one of Granville's oldest and most highly esteemed Welsh residents, David W. Roberts, aged about 67 years.
Struck by a falling Derrick.
Mr. Roberts and his sons were working what is known as the old Jobson quarry in Wells, located near the Edwards' quarries, they leasing it from William E. Roberts. It is reported that the derrick was not a substantial one, whether from decay or not being securely erected we are not informed. So many reports get into circulation that it is hardly possible to determine which is correct. Anyhow, Mr. Roberts had been warned as to the probable danger of working about the derrick, but he evidently considered it secure. Tuesday morning the lifting rope was attached to a heavy rock and the power put on to hoist it. The boom broke and the recoil was so great that the mast of the derrick was thrown out of position and fell with a crash, striking Mr. Roberts on the side.Lived But Twenty Minutes.
Mr. Roberts had received his death blow. His sons went to his rescue and a physician sent for, but death ensued before medical aid was secured. He died in about twenty minutes. There was scarcely a mark on his body, so the fatal injury was of an internal nature. The deceased was a veteran quarryman and was associated for some time with Mr. Evans in operating the Boston quarry. He had experienced several severe accidents, one of which badly disfigured his face. He was a man of the highest integrity and purest motive, and was a member of the Welsh Calvanistic Methodist church of this place. The deceased is survived by a widow and five sons, David, William, John, Rees and Fred, and two married daughters, Mrs. Morris H. Jones and Mrs. Griffith T. Roberts.The Funeral Friday.
The funeral will be held Friday afternoon from the church of which he was a member, and will no doubt be one of the largest seen here in years, owing to the deceased's extensive acquaintance and the esteem in which he was held by the community, and especially by his countrymen. The funeral is delayed in order that a brother, John W. Roberts, now visiting in Chicago, can be present. The latter resides in Wales, and visited Granville recently, the two brothers meeting for the first time after a seperation of 40 years.Newspaper Obituary.
DAVID W. ROBERTS. WELLS, RUTLAND COUNTY, VERMONT.
I david Roberts of Middle Granville, in the County of Washington and State of New York, being of sound mind and memory, do make the following as and for my last Will and Testament, namely:First: I direct my executor and executrix hereinafter named to pay all my funeral expenses, charges and debts.
Second: I give and bequeath to my grandson, Robert M. Smith of Brooklyn State of new York, the sum of one hundred dollars in cash.
Third: I give and bequeath to my nephew, Hugh E. Roberts of Utica, State of New York, the sum of Fifty Dollars in cash.
Fourth: I give and bequeath to my niece Ellen Davies of Floyd, State of New York, the sum of Fifty dollars in cash.
Fifth: I hereby give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Jane, all the real and general property (with the exception of the above mentioned bequests) of every name and nature, and wherever situated, giving her full power to sell and convey any and all of my real estate, this devise and bequest being to her, her heirs and assigns forever.
Lastly: I constitute and appoint my beloved wife Jane and my friend Hugh Williams of Middle Granville, State of New York, executrix and executor of this, my last will and testament, hereby revoking any and all former wills by me made.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 17th day of June, 1897.
The above instrument consisting of two sheets, was at the date thereof signed, sealed, published and declared by the said David Roberts as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us, who at his request, and in his presence, and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
Hugh Williams. Middle Granville.
Hugh Williams Jr. Middle Granville.
CODICIL.
I, David Roberts being of sound mind and memory, do make theses following changes in this my last will and testament, the same being dated the 17th day of June, 1897 to wit:First: I desire to reduce the sum bequeathed to my grandson, Robert M. Smith of Brooklyn State of New York to fifthy dollars instead of one hundred dollars in cash.
Second: I hereby withdraw and cancel the sum of fifty dollars bequeathed to my nephew Hugh Roberts of Utica, State of New York.
Third: I hereby withdraw and cancel my bequest of fifty dollars to my niece Ellen Davies of Floyd, State if New York. (I deem it necessary to make these changes on account of the expenses incurred during my long illness and with these exceptions the within will and testament is to remain as first written.
In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal this twenty third day of March 1899.
The above codicil consisting of one sheet (two pages) was at the date thereof signed, sealed, published and declared by the said David Roberts for his last will and testament in presence of us, who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
Hugh Williams. Middle Granville.
William W. Roberts. Middle Granville.