Valuable Mule Electrocuted

Stepped on a Trolley Wire on East State Street Property of a Wood Hauler. Efforts to secure an appraisal and settlement for the loss of the animal.

At 11:30 March 3, 1901 before noon, while F.R. Funk, an older gentleman living in North Salem who supported his family by hauling wood, was in the act of driving across the track of the Salem Light & Traction Company’s State Street car line. On the corner of State and 13th Streets, he was involved in a near fatal accident that resulted in the instant death of one of his mules – – a valuable animal – – one of a team that represents the gentleman’s capital.

The trolley wire on the State Street line was broken and lying in the street, and the animal, stepping on the deadly wire, received the full force of the current and dropped dead in its tracks. The falling mule carried the other harnessed mule down with her thus endangering the life of Mr. Funk. Help was quickly secured, and the animals taken off the wire, but it was found to be too late in the case of the one mule. The other mule was seriously injured and the tugs of the harness were burnt though in several places.

Mr. Funk later called on the management of the company for a settlement, and offered to settle the matter by having the loss appraised, he to name one party, the manager of the company to name another, and these two to select the third, this trio to appraise the value of the animal. The company denied this request, but named its own trio of appraisers, consisting of W.S. Low, J.C. Shelton, and Dr. William Long – – and these gentlemen appraised the dead animal at $90.

Mr. Funk refuses to settle for this amount, as he says he was – – about a week ago – – offered $90 for the animal, which amount he refused, asserting that he could have $100 for the mule.

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Bibliography:

Capital Journal Newspaper, March 3, 1901

This article originally appeared on the original Salem Online History site and has not been updated since 2006.