Trapped in the Stall
A farmer is severely injured in a remote barn when he is trampled by his own horses, leaving him unable to reach help for six hours.
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.
Dayton, Oct. 18—This morning, H. C. Stanley, a farmer living fifteen miles northeast of here, went to the barn for the purpose of attending horses, and upon entering the stall of a vicious animal was kicked on the right leg, breaking both bones between the knee and ankle. The stall was cramped and contained another horse, under whose feet Mr. Stanley fell. The second animal became frightened and commenced kicking and plunging at the unfortunate man, who was totally unable to defend himself or leave the stable. He called for help, but before his brother could reach him he was unconscious. His face and chest are terribly bruised by the feet of the horses. He was unconscious for more than an hour and is now in a precarious condition. The extent of his injuries is unknown. It is thought his ribs are broken and other internal injuries were inflicted. It was six hours before medical aid could reach him, the distance from town being so great.
“The second animal became frightened and commenced kicking and plunging at the unfortunate man.”
This harrowing incident highlights the extreme danger and isolation of rural labor in the 19th century. Even today, agricultural work remains one of the most hazardous occupations, often exacerbated by the remoteness of the work environment.
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