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The TALES you probably never heard about

WHIRLED TO DEATH

Jos. J. Bauer Killed at Niagara Falls, N.Y.

[Welland Tribune, 26 March 1897]

Joseph J. Bauer, son of Michael Bauer, who resides near Netherby, in this county, met with a terrible and instant death in the big paper mills at Niagara Falls, N.Y., where he was employed on Wednesday afternoon. He was caught in some shafting in the machinery room, and before he could be released, both his legs were torn off, his right arm had been crushed to a jelly, and the rest of his body was so cut and mangled that it would be impossible for even his nearest relatives to recognize him.

Bauer was at work in the basement under the main factory with only one other workman. A small belt on a blower that carries cold air to the paper machine above slipped and Bauer tried to slip it back without stopping the machinery. While it is not known just how the accident happened it is believed he either slipped or his clothing caught on the shaft which was revolving at the rate of 250 revolutions to the minute. The other workman gave the alarm, but it was too late to save his life. Both legs had been torn off, just above the knee and the other a little below the knee. Dr. Hodge and Dr. Cross were summoned but life was extinct before they could reach him.

Deceased was in the 26th year of his age and unmarried. He had a brother and a brother-in-law, Peter Kaufman, working in the mill with him.

The funeral will be held on Saturday (tomorrow) from the residence of his father, Michael Bauer, near Netherby, at 9 a.m., services at R.C. church, New Germany, and interment in the burying ground adjoining.

The relatives of deceased have the deep sympathy of the whole community in their peculiarly sad and distressing bereavement.

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