Francis Bell McArthur, b. 21 Nov. 1899 - d. 19 May 1932, son of John Henry McArthur Jr. & 2nd wife Gratia/Grace Reed Taylor; husband of Margaret R. Elens; father to George D. & Grace L. McArthur.
Francis McArthur was killed in a construction accident while building the Cleveland Street bridge in Ionia, MI. The street runs between Main and Riverside Drive and crosses over the Grand River.
The Ionia Sentinel-Standard" Tues., 17 May 1932:
Tragic Death At Cleveland Street Bridge - Two Men Crushed When Nine Ton I-Beam Tilts; One Instantly Killed - Francis McArthur a Victim of Tragic Accident About 1:30 Tuesday Afternoon on New Bridge Construction - Wm. Peterman, of South Ionia, Critically Hurt - A Third Man, Sandy Jones, of Grand Rapids, Suffers Leg Injuries, But is Partially Successful in Attempt to Save Peterman -
Tragedy stalked at the Cleveland street bridge Tuesday afternoon and one man was killed instantly, one other so terribly injured that his death was expected to follow, and a third man suffered severe gashes and bruises of one leg, when one of the mammoth nine-ton I-beams tipped from its support and caught the workmen between it and a second beam.
Francis McArthur, 31, of Southeast Ionia, married and the father of two small children, was so terribly crushed about the head and shoulders that he died almost instantly.
William Peterman, 25, of South Ionia, also married and the father of two children, who was standing a little higher than McArthur, was caught from the hips down, and suffered injuries which it was expected might prove fatal. His pelvis was believed fractured and his legs were crushed.
Sandy Jones, of Detroit, colored foreman of the steel construction company which has the subcontract for erection of the steel work on the bridge, was caught by one leg, and his leg was gashed and badly bruised, with a possible fracture.
The men were working on the beams, which were about to be placed in position. One of the beams was being jacked up when it slipped from its position and tipped againste the other beam. McArthur was caught between the two 75-feet long, nine-ton girders. Peterman, who was also caught and crushed when the girder tiped, was pulled out by Jones, whose leg was struck and gashed by the girder in its fall. The men had been levelling the beams, witnesses said, after they had been placed in position on the third span by derricks.
McArthur was between the two beams adjusting the heavy jacks by which they were leveled into position when it suddenly tilted to the west against the next girder. McArthur's head was crushed and his legs broken.
Peterman and Jones were working nearby when the beam tipped and Peterman was also caught. One leg was badly mangled and the lower part of his abdomen crushed. Jones jumped to Peterman's aid when the beam tipped and partially succeeded in pulling him from the girders as they came together.
It was with the greatest fortitude that Mrs. McArthur bore up under the tragedy that befell the family circle Tuesday afternoon.
Before her marriage she was Miss Margaret Elens. they have two small children, a boy and a girl. Their home is on old M-21 across the road from Smith's greenhouse.
Mr. McArthur was born in the vicinity of Saranac in 1899 and had made Ionia county his home for the greater part of his life, although he had lived for a time in Isabella county.
Besides his widow and two children, he leaves his mother, Mrs. Grace McArthur, of Milbrook, formerly of Ionia, and two brothers, Palmer and George, of Isabella county, and a half-brother, Fred. George McArthur, lost the part of one hand in a railroad accident several years ago.
William Peterman is 25 years of age. He was born and reared in the vicinity of Sheridan, and had lived for the past six years in Ionia, coming here to work in the Ypsilanti-Reed factory. He had been employed at the factory until he began working on the bridge.
Mr. Peterman lives on Churchill street in South Ionia. He has two children, five and three. His father, William Peterman, Sr. of Sheridan, recently came to Ionia to make his home with the son. He has four brothers and a sister living at Sheridan."
The 18 May 1932 edition of "The Ionia Sentinel-Standard": Mortuary - Francis McArthur - Funeral services for Francis McArthur, who lost his life Tuesday while working on the Cleveland Street bridge, will be conducted by Dr. Paul L. Stewart at the Boynton funeral chapel Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial will be in Tuttle cemetery."
Francis McArthur was killed in a construction accident while building the Cleveland Street bridge in Ionia, MI. The street runs between Main and Riverside Drive and crosses over the Grand River.
The Ionia Sentinel-Standard" Tues., 17 May 1932:
Tragic Death At Cleveland Street Bridge - Two Men Crushed When Nine Ton I-Beam Tilts; One Instantly Killed - Francis McArthur a Victim of Tragic Accident About 1:30 Tuesday Afternoon on New Bridge Construction - Wm. Peterman, of South Ionia, Critically Hurt - A Third Man, Sandy Jones, of Grand Rapids, Suffers Leg Injuries, But is Partially Successful in Attempt to Save Peterman -
Tragedy stalked at the Cleveland street bridge Tuesday afternoon and one man was killed instantly, one other so terribly injured that his death was expected to follow, and a third man suffered severe gashes and bruises of one leg, when one of the mammoth nine-ton I-beams tipped from its support and caught the workmen between it and a second beam.
Francis McArthur, 31, of Southeast Ionia, married and the father of two small children, was so terribly crushed about the head and shoulders that he died almost instantly.
William Peterman, 25, of South Ionia, also married and the father of two children, who was standing a little higher than McArthur, was caught from the hips down, and suffered injuries which it was expected might prove fatal. His pelvis was believed fractured and his legs were crushed.
Sandy Jones, of Detroit, colored foreman of the steel construction company which has the subcontract for erection of the steel work on the bridge, was caught by one leg, and his leg was gashed and badly bruised, with a possible fracture.
The men were working on the beams, which were about to be placed in position. One of the beams was being jacked up when it slipped from its position and tipped againste the other beam. McArthur was caught between the two 75-feet long, nine-ton girders. Peterman, who was also caught and crushed when the girder tiped, was pulled out by Jones, whose leg was struck and gashed by the girder in its fall. The men had been levelling the beams, witnesses said, after they had been placed in position on the third span by derricks.
McArthur was between the two beams adjusting the heavy jacks by which they were leveled into position when it suddenly tilted to the west against the next girder. McArthur's head was crushed and his legs broken.
Peterman and Jones were working nearby when the beam tipped and Peterman was also caught. One leg was badly mangled and the lower part of his abdomen crushed. Jones jumped to Peterman's aid when the beam tipped and partially succeeded in pulling him from the girders as they came together.
It was with the greatest fortitude that Mrs. McArthur bore up under the tragedy that befell the family circle Tuesday afternoon.
Before her marriage she was Miss Margaret Elens. they have two small children, a boy and a girl. Their home is on old M-21 across the road from Smith's greenhouse.
Mr. McArthur was born in the vicinity of Saranac in 1899 and had made Ionia county his home for the greater part of his life, although he had lived for a time in Isabella county.
Besides his widow and two children, he leaves his mother, Mrs. Grace McArthur, of Milbrook, formerly of Ionia, and two brothers, Palmer and George, of Isabella county, and a half-brother, Fred. George McArthur, lost the part of one hand in a railroad accident several years ago.
William Peterman is 25 years of age. He was born and reared in the vicinity of Sheridan, and had lived for the past six years in Ionia, coming here to work in the Ypsilanti-Reed factory. He had been employed at the factory until he began working on the bridge.
Mr. Peterman lives on Churchill street in South Ionia. He has two children, five and three. His father, William Peterman, Sr. of Sheridan, recently came to Ionia to make his home with the son. He has four brothers and a sister living at Sheridan."
The 18 May 1932 edition of "The Ionia Sentinel-Standard": Mortuary - Francis McArthur - Funeral services for Francis McArthur, who lost his life Tuesday while working on the Cleveland Street bridge, will be conducted by Dr. Paul L. Stewart at the Boynton funeral chapel Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial will be in Tuttle cemetery."
Francis Bell McArthur, b. 21 Nov. 1899 - d. 19 May 1932, son of John Henry McArthur Jr. & 2nd wife Gratia/Grace Reed Taylor; husband of Margaret R. Elens; father to George D. & Grace L. McArthur.
Francis McArthur was killed in a construction accident while building the Cleveland Street bridge in Ionia, MI. The street runs between Main and Riverside Drive and crosses over the Grand River.
The Ionia Sentinel-Standard" Tues., 17 May 1932:
Tragic Death At Cleveland Street Bridge - Two Men Crushed When Nine Ton I-Beam Tilts; One Instantly Killed - Francis McArthur a Victim of Tragic Accident About 1:30 Tuesday Afternoon on New Bridge Construction - Wm. Peterman, of South Ionia, Critically Hurt - A Third Man, Sandy Jones, of Grand Rapids, Suffers Leg Injuries, But is Partially Successful in Attempt to Save Peterman -
Tragedy stalked at the Cleveland street bridge Tuesday afternoon and one man was killed instantly, one other so terribly injured that his death was expected to follow, and a third man suffered severe gashes and bruises of one leg, when one of the mammoth nine-ton I-beams tipped from its support and caught the workmen between it and a second beam.
Francis McArthur, 31, of Southeast Ionia, married and the father of two small children, was so terribly crushed about the head and shoulders that he died almost instantly.
William Peterman, 25, of South Ionia, also married and the father of two children, who was standing a little higher than McArthur, was caught from the hips down, and suffered injuries which it was expected might prove fatal. His pelvis was believed fractured and his legs were crushed.
Sandy Jones, of Detroit, colored foreman of the steel construction company which has the subcontract for erection of the steel work on the bridge, was caught by one leg, and his leg was gashed and badly bruised, with a possible fracture.
The men were working on the beams, which were about to be placed in position. One of the beams was being jacked up when it slipped from its position and tipped againste the other beam. McArthur was caught between the two 75-feet long, nine-ton girders. Peterman, who was also caught and crushed when the girder tiped, was pulled out by Jones, whose leg was struck and gashed by the girder in its fall. The men had been levelling the beams, witnesses said, after they had been placed in position on the third span by derricks.
McArthur was between the two beams adjusting the heavy jacks by which they were leveled into position when it suddenly tilted to the west against the next girder. McArthur's head was crushed and his legs broken.
Peterman and Jones were working nearby when the beam tipped and Peterman was also caught. One leg was badly mangled and the lower part of his abdomen crushed. Jones jumped to Peterman's aid when the beam tipped and partially succeeded in pulling him from the girders as they came together.
It was with the greatest fortitude that Mrs. McArthur bore up under the tragedy that befell the family circle Tuesday afternoon.
Before her marriage she was Miss Margaret Elens. they have two small children, a boy and a girl. Their home is on old M-21 across the road from Smith's greenhouse.
Mr. McArthur was born in the vicinity of Saranac in 1899 and had made Ionia county his home for the greater part of his life, although he had lived for a time in Isabella county.
Besides his widow and two children, he leaves his mother, Mrs. Grace McArthur, of Milbrook, formerly of Ionia, and two brothers, Palmer and George, of Isabella county, and a half-brother, Fred. George McArthur, lost the part of one hand in a railroad accident several years ago.
William Peterman is 25 years of age. He was born and reared in the vicinity of Sheridan, and had lived for the past six years in Ionia, coming here to work in the Ypsilanti-Reed factory. He had been employed at the factory until he began working on the bridge.
Mr. Peterman lives on Churchill street in South Ionia. He has two children, five and three. His father, William Peterman, Sr. of Sheridan, recently came to Ionia to make his home with the son. He has four brothers and a sister living at Sheridan."
The 18 May 1932 edition of "The Ionia Sentinel-Standard": Mortuary - Francis McArthur - Funeral services for Francis McArthur, who lost his life Tuesday while working on the Cleveland Street bridge, will be conducted by Dr. Paul L. Stewart at the Boynton funeral chapel Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial will be in Tuttle cemetery."
Francis McArthur was killed in a construction accident while building the Cleveland Street bridge in Ionia, MI. The street runs between Main and Riverside Drive and crosses over the Grand River.
The Ionia Sentinel-Standard" Tues., 17 May 1932:
Tragic Death At Cleveland Street Bridge - Two Men Crushed When Nine Ton I-Beam Tilts; One Instantly Killed - Francis McArthur a Victim of Tragic Accident About 1:30 Tuesday Afternoon on New Bridge Construction - Wm. Peterman, of South Ionia, Critically Hurt - A Third Man, Sandy Jones, of Grand Rapids, Suffers Leg Injuries, But is Partially Successful in Attempt to Save Peterman -
Tragedy stalked at the Cleveland street bridge Tuesday afternoon and one man was killed instantly, one other so terribly injured that his death was expected to follow, and a third man suffered severe gashes and bruises of one leg, when one of the mammoth nine-ton I-beams tipped from its support and caught the workmen between it and a second beam.
Francis McArthur, 31, of Southeast Ionia, married and the father of two small children, was so terribly crushed about the head and shoulders that he died almost instantly.
William Peterman, 25, of South Ionia, also married and the father of two children, who was standing a little higher than McArthur, was caught from the hips down, and suffered injuries which it was expected might prove fatal. His pelvis was believed fractured and his legs were crushed.
Sandy Jones, of Detroit, colored foreman of the steel construction company which has the subcontract for erection of the steel work on the bridge, was caught by one leg, and his leg was gashed and badly bruised, with a possible fracture.
The men were working on the beams, which were about to be placed in position. One of the beams was being jacked up when it slipped from its position and tipped againste the other beam. McArthur was caught between the two 75-feet long, nine-ton girders. Peterman, who was also caught and crushed when the girder tiped, was pulled out by Jones, whose leg was struck and gashed by the girder in its fall. The men had been levelling the beams, witnesses said, after they had been placed in position on the third span by derricks.
McArthur was between the two beams adjusting the heavy jacks by which they were leveled into position when it suddenly tilted to the west against the next girder. McArthur's head was crushed and his legs broken.
Peterman and Jones were working nearby when the beam tipped and Peterman was also caught. One leg was badly mangled and the lower part of his abdomen crushed. Jones jumped to Peterman's aid when the beam tipped and partially succeeded in pulling him from the girders as they came together.
It was with the greatest fortitude that Mrs. McArthur bore up under the tragedy that befell the family circle Tuesday afternoon.
Before her marriage she was Miss Margaret Elens. they have two small children, a boy and a girl. Their home is on old M-21 across the road from Smith's greenhouse.
Mr. McArthur was born in the vicinity of Saranac in 1899 and had made Ionia county his home for the greater part of his life, although he had lived for a time in Isabella county.
Besides his widow and two children, he leaves his mother, Mrs. Grace McArthur, of Milbrook, formerly of Ionia, and two brothers, Palmer and George, of Isabella county, and a half-brother, Fred. George McArthur, lost the part of one hand in a railroad accident several years ago.
William Peterman is 25 years of age. He was born and reared in the vicinity of Sheridan, and had lived for the past six years in Ionia, coming here to work in the Ypsilanti-Reed factory. He had been employed at the factory until he began working on the bridge.
Mr. Peterman lives on Churchill street in South Ionia. He has two children, five and three. His father, William Peterman, Sr. of Sheridan, recently came to Ionia to make his home with the son. He has four brothers and a sister living at Sheridan."
The 18 May 1932 edition of "The Ionia Sentinel-Standard": Mortuary - Francis McArthur - Funeral services for Francis McArthur, who lost his life Tuesday while working on the Cleveland Street bridge, will be conducted by Dr. Paul L. Stewart at the Boynton funeral chapel Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial will be in Tuttle cemetery."
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