by Laurel | June 3rd, 2010
June 3, 1942
Two laborers miraculously escaped serious injury shortly before 10 yesterday morning when the unshored walls of a 15-foot ditch caved in. The men, Anthony McAlpine, 37, of 107 Walnut street, and Gerald Kane, 29, of 73 Newton street, were buried up to their necks in the landslides. Other workmen quickly extricated them from the volume of dirt and they were taken to the first aid station of the Worthington Pump and Machinery corporation. D. Edward A. Knowlton attended them and found that McAlphine suffered from several fractured ribs but Kane escaped with a shock.
The men were employed by Rotondl & Sons, contractors of Boston, who are building a roadway, a federal project, along Canal street from Appleton street to a point near Mosher street. The roadway is alongside the easterly part of the Worthington Pump and Machinery Corporation, which is engaged in defense work for the government.
The fire department and police department responded with inhalators but neither was was found necessary. After receiving medical aid at the first-aid station, the men were taken to their homes.
From The Springfield Republican.
