Tragedy at the Sawmill: A Father’s Grief

A most distressing accident occurred yesterday forenoon about nine o’clock at Druck’s saw mill, which is located some miles above Vancouver, on the Washington Territory side of the Columbia, resulting in the instant death of a young man named George Druck, son of the proprietor of the mill. At the time of the severe wind storm of the 9th, a portion of the frame was carried away. The part which remained was in such a shaky condition as to threaten the mill. Mr. Druck, the proprietor, determined to remove the danger by tearing down the frame and building a new one. Yesterday morning several men commenced the work of tearing down the frame. A rope was fastened to the timber, and a portion of the structure torn down. As the timber and plank came down, it loosened a heavy piece of the frame which hung evenly balanced. The rope could not be unfastened until the timber was removed, so young Druck took an axe and went down into the ravine to cut away some of the props. He had not made a dozen strokes before the heavy piece of timber was thrown from its balance and toppled over. Those who were watching realized in an instant the great danger of the young man, and shouted at the top of their voices for him to look out. He glanced up and perceived to his horror that the timber was descending. He sprang aside to escape what seemed a certain doom. One foot caught and he fell forward, striking heavily against a log. At the same instant the dislodged timber from above came down with a thud, and striking young Druck on the head, crushed the skull to a jelly, producing death instantly. Those who witnessed the horrible accident were riveted to the spot for an instant, scarcely realizing what had occurred. The mangled and lifeless remains of the hapless young man were extricated from the wreck and removed to his home. His parents are overwhelmed with grief over the heartrending bereavement. The age of the deceased was 17 years.