Electrocuted at The Watsontown Light Plant, 1909

 

The Watsontown Original Electric Light Company was chartered on September 1 1886.  The plant was located at the foot of third street.  A new plant was erected by the borough in 1898, beginning operations with a grand public demonstration on April 24th of that year.

Walter Blair, an electrician employed in the power house of the Watsontown Electric Light Company was instantly killed February 11th 1909, when 4,000 volts of electricity passed through is body.  

It's believed that Blair was in the act of turning off the arc light switch and accidentally overreached, his hand coming in contact with a portion of the switch that was charged.

Walter Samuel Blair was born December 1 1867, the son of Isaiah & Maria [McNinch] Blair.  In 1899 he married, and at the time of his death he and his wife had one child.

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ELECTROCUTED IN POWER HOUSE Four Thousand. Volts of Electricity Passed Through the Body of Walter Blair. Walter Blair, an electrician employed in the power house of the Watson. town Electric Light company, was instantly killed yesterday morning when 4,000 volte of electricity passed through his body. The terrible accident occurred about 7:30 o'clock while Blair was alone in the power plant and it fifteen minutes later when his was dead body was discovered one hand on the, switch which controls the arc lights.

The supposition is that Blair was in the act of turning off the arc light switch and accidentally overreached, his hand coming in contact with a portion of the switch that was charged. At 8:45 o'clock Truman Ungard, an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad went into the power house company for the purpose of telephoning for a physician to attend one of the track. men who had been hurt. As he stepped inside the door and moved towards the telephone he noticed the peculiar position of the electrician at the switch and going to him was horrified to find him dead. Dr. S. S. Derr was sent for and responded promptly, but Blair was past human aid, Coroner D. S. Fisher was notified and empaneled the following jury: W. L. Baker, W. A. Edwards, H. W. Robenolt and H. L. Fulmer. After hearing what evidence there was to be given the jury rendered a verdict to the effect that Blair came to his death by electrocution. The time of the accident was fixed at 7:30 o' clock, Inasmuch as Blair had been seen alive fifteen minutes before that hour.

The unfortunate man was about forty years of age and is survived by & widow and one child. He had been in the employ of the electric company for a number of years and was regarded as an expert in his line of work.