16
Jan

Is Paralyzed From Waist Down

   Posted by: admin   in Accident

The Fort Dodge Messenger: Jan. 16, 1903

Is Paralyzed From Waist Down

Juel Johnson, Miner for Pleasant Valley Coal Co., is Very Seriously Injured

Caught Under Mass of Coal

Great Fragment Weighing 300 Pounds Fell Upon Him While at Work

Juel Johnson, a miner in the mines of the Pleasant Valley Coal company, was very seriously injured by a fall of coal while at work on Thursday morning. He now lies paralyzed from the waist down, is unable to move his feet and has no sensation below that point. Physicians express the hope that if the paralysis is causes simply by a clot of blood pressing upon the spinal cord, that it may be absorbed and Johnson may recover. If however, the bone itself is crushed in upon the cord, and is pressing upon it, they do not extend hope for his recovery. The average life under such circumstances, is said to be from two and one half to three years.

Johnson was engaged in sledging down coal when the accident happened. He was working to get down a lump weighing about 300 pounds which appeared firmly fixed overhead. He started to remove some of the coal just under it, with the plan of wedging down the heavier mass. While he was on his knees, thus engaged, the large lump became loosened, and fell upon him, striking him a glancing blow on the back midway between the hips. Had the mass descended upon him directly, he would have been crushed to death.

Everything possible is being done for the injured man, but the doctors are able to extend little hope. Johnson is a single man.

Other articles:

Juel Johnson in Sad Plight

His Case is a Peculiar One

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