Published as it appeared on Dec. 17, 1929, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times, Page 1, Column 4.
Mill Engineer
Victim of Fatal
Accident Monday
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Walter C. Wyatt, 42, engineer at the Griswold-Grier Lumber company at Philomath, was instantly killed at 1:30 yesterday afternoon, while at work in the mill.
There were no eye witnesses to the tragedy. Mr. Wyatt had been talking with the mill fireman, in the boiler room and had started back to the operating room. It is believed he stumbled or slipped while walking along the narrow runway and that he had reached to grasp a turning belt to regain his balance. His right arm was drawn into the belt and his body thrown into the air, the fall killing him instantly.
The fireman, hearing the impact, hurried to shut off the power and summoned immediate medical aid. Nothing could be done. Sheriff Earl Humphrey and Coroner A.L. Keeney were called to make investigation of the accident. It was agreed that Mr. Wyatt’s death was accidental, and no inquest will be held.
Mr. Wyatt had been mill engineer with the Griswold-Grier company for several years, having assumed the position at the mill at the time it was purchased by the present owner, three years ago. He was born in Maryland September 21, 1887, and spent the early years of his life in that state, coming to Oregon and Philomath only 17 years ago.
His marriage to Lydia Madden occurred at Philomath September 21, 1915. Mr. Wyatt is survived by his widow and three daughters, Juanita, Maxine and Madelon Wyatt, and by his father, Walter T. Wyatt, all of Philomath, and a sister, Mrs. E.G. Spriggs of Springfield, Lane county.
The funeral services will be from the Kenney funeral home Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, with Rev. Morris Goodrich of the Chapel church of Philomath officiating. Interment will be in the family burial plot in Newton cemetery.
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Editor’s note: The year of birth as 1886 on the grave marker appears as though it could be an error. Both the obituary and the Oregon State Board of Health’s death certificate shows Mr. Wyatt’s birthdate as Sept. 21, 1887.