The Trimmer Saw's Heavy Toll
A sawmill accident on the waterfront leads to a high-stakes court battle over worker safety and corporate negligence.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Up to a few weeks ago, the attention of the District Court has been taken up with the trial of the case of W.C. Hawthorne against the Columbia and Puget Sound Railroad Company. It seems that some two years ago, the plaintiff was employed in the railroad company's sawmill, running the trimmer saw. While he was so employed, the pulley bracket gave way, letting the pulley down on the plaintiff's head. From the effects of the injury, it is alleged the plaintiff has been paralyzed and incapacitated from earning money with which to support his family. The plaintiff argued that the accident was caused by the negligence of the defendants, and the defense held that the plaintiff knew that the machine was out of repair and failed to quit using it, or notify the foreman of the mill of its condition, and that therefore he was guilty of contributory negligence and could not recover. Fifteen thousand dollars was the amount sued for. The jury went out yesterday afternoon and is yet to deliver the verdict. No one except the members of the jury know what the verdict is, but it is generally believed they found for the plaintiff and awarded him about $10,000.
“The plaintiff argued that the accident was caused by the negligence of the defendants, and the defense held that the plaintiff knew that the machine was out of repair.”
This 1887 litigation mirrors modern battles over industrial safety and employer liability in Washington. While legal standards have evolved from the harsh era of 'contributory negligence' to more robust worker protections, the struggle for fair compensation when machinery fails remains a constant in labor history.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.