| Transcribed by Norma Knotts Shaffer from microfilm
of the Calhoun Chronicle dated 9/17/1895.
Last Tuesday Louis Ball was hauling a wagon loaded with thirty railroad
cross ties to the river about a mile above town, his father, Levi Ball,
was riding on the wagon, when one of the oxen became unyoaked. He
jumped off the wagon to catch the ox, when he slipped and rolled under
the wagon. A wheel passed over his right leg, below the knee, mashing
the flesh into a jelly and breaking the bone in three or four places.
He was carried to S.T. Stump’s, who lives near, and Dr. Dye hastily called
to attend the wound. An examination of the injury showed that there
was but one thing to do, and in all haste preparations were made to amputate
the limb. It happened that both Drs. Swentzel and Blair were away
from home and could not be gotten. With what help could be provided
by the bystanders Dr. Dye amputated the limb above the knee. To all
appearances the operation seemed to be successful, the patient yielded
readily to the anesthetic and did not appear to suffer from the shock during
the operation, which lasted about one hour from the time of administering
the ether. For one hour after the operation the patient showed signs
of rallying. After that time the symptoms changed and he began to
sink and died in eight hours after the close of the operation. He
was burried at the Bethlehem Cemetery on the following day, a large congregation
of people assembling to show their respect to his memory and his bereaved
family and friends. The subject of the foregoing sketch was about
sixty years of age, and was a son of John and Rachel Ball. He was
born in this county and had spent his life in farming pursuits. His
wife died a little over one year ago almost as suddenly as he was called
away. He was the father of nine children, all of whom are grown.
All were present at the funeral except John, who resides in Wyoming county,
and was too far away to reach home in time for the funeral. Mr. Ball
was one of Calhoun County’s best citizens and his loss will be keenly felt.
He was a member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church, and had always lived to
adorn his profession. To the sorrowing friends, and especially the
children, we extend heartfelt sympathy.
It has been remarked that some families are ill fated. The death
of Levi Ball brings to memory the peculiar fates of that family.
Of the six brothers, Samuel died while a little child, David died of fever
when about twenty-two years old. These both died at home. John
was drowned in the Ohio river, Frank was shot and killed in Gilmer county
in time of the war, Alpheus died from an operation in Baltimore, and Levi
from shock at S.T. Stump’s, about two miles from his home. |
