MINER DIED FROM INJURIES RECEIVED IN FALL FROM LADDER

    Elmer Wilkerson, who had made his home in Elvins for many years, was fatally injured, Thursday afternoon of last week, at 1 o'clock, at No. 16 shaft, Doe Run Lead, where he was employed as a miner, when a ladder on which he was standing, while taking down some loose "back" broke, causing him to fall 30 feet to the floor of the mines. He fell head first. His head was terribly lacerated and his spine fractured. He was given first aid treatment at the mine and rushed to the Bonne Terre hospital, where he died Friday morning at 10 o'clock. He was 35 years old.

    Mr. Wilkerson's partner, G. N. Seal, also of Elvins, was on the same ladder. When he saw that it was breaking he grabbed for a rope, to which he clung and down which he slid a part of the distance to the ground. He sustained no worse injuries than some severe very bruises, and was able to return to his work this week.

    The funeral, which was conducted at the Elvins Baptist Church, Sunday, at 12 o'clock, by the pastor, Rev. E. D. Owen, was one of the largest funerals seen here for some time. The remains were taken to Doe Run for burial.

    Mrs. Wilkerson died less than two years ago, having been a victim of the influenza epidemic which swept the country during the winter of 1919 and 1920. She and an infant died in February of 1920, and were buried in the same grave. Since that time, the father had been keeping the remaining six children together, the eldest, a daughter now 15 years of age, having kept house and taken care of her five younger brothers and sisters, the youngest who is now 4 years of age. For the present these children are with relatives in Elvins.

    Besides his children, the deceased man leaves his aged mother, who lives in Elvins, one sister, Mrs. J. M. Wadlow, of Granite City, three brothers, Jessie of St. Louis, and Harry and Homer, of Elvins, and a host of other relatives and friends.

LEAD BELT NEWS, Flat River, St. Francois Co. MO, Fri. Dec. 9, 1921

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