Broken Bones at the Capstan

Yesterday about noon, Mr. Brownfield with several other men were engaged in hauling the steamer Chehalis, which sprang a leak and was sunk about two weeks ago in Lake Washington near the Portage. They had so far succeeded in the attempt that she was nearly out of the water, which they were drawing her with a capstan, when the capstan bar broke. The tension of the rope caused the bar to whirl around several times with great velocity, the end of the bar striking Mr. Brownfield on the left arm, just above the elbow, making a compound fracture of the bone of the arm. Dr. Weed was at once sent for and on arriving immediately dressed the fracture temporarily. Mr. Brownfield was then brought to town by his wife, and after his arrival the arm was set by Dr. Weed. He is now at the house of Mr. Wredell, and is as comfortable as could be expected. This accident will prove a great disappointment to Mr. Brownfield, he having recently leased his farm preparatory to a contemplated visit East, and frustrated his plans completely. It is very fortunate that the accident was not accompanied with any more serious results, as it came very near being, from the fact that Mr. Allen, who was engaged in taking up the slack of the line about the drum of the capstan at the time of the accident, made a very narrow escape, his hat being knocked off by the swiftly revolving capstan bar on its first round. Had he been leaning forward at the time, he would have met with instant death.