Miscellany, Oct. 19, 1931

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Nailmaker

In Newport, Monmouthshire, England, a scratch from her husband's toenail in bed was stated at the inquest to have caused the death of Mrs. Ada Stevens, wife of a nailmaker.

Smoker

In the Jersey City Salvation Army Home John J. Daggett walked in his sleep, walked through a second story window, fell to the ground, awoke. He walked upstairs, reported the accident, lit a cigaret. An ambulance surgeon saw smoke escaping from John Daggett's neck, found his windpipe had been nearly severed. Said Smoker Daggett: "Now that you mention it, I noticed I wasn't getting much out of this cigaret."

Cold

In Philadelphia, summer was gone. A cold wind blew from the river and the streets were damp and cold. Frank Collins, 65, homeless & jobless, buried his fists in his armpits, dug his chin into his collar, walked until he stood before the open door of a garage. Inside it was not cold. He lay down on a running board, went to sleep. A few minutes later the car drove out, drove until Frank Collins tumbled from the running board into the street, where he lay still. A doctor said he had died in his sleep.

Ribs

In San Francisco, Peter Breckenridge fractured several ribs in the following manner: He mounted his mule, set out for a ride. The mule stepped upon a nest of yellow jackets; the yellow jackets began to sting the mule, causing it to kick desperately. One of the kicks came in contact with a guy wire attached to a pole; the force of the kick made the pole fall down. A power wire strung on the pole fell on the mule, electrocuting it instantly; whereupon the mule fell over, landed on its rider, fractured the ribs of Peter Breckenridge.

Left

In Chicago, a thief stole 350 shoes from the automobile of Charles Weiss, shoe salesman. All were for the left foot.

Soldiers

In his Brooklyn home James Dennis Wyber, 14. played soldier, used the roof as a fort, used his room as an arsenal for the storage of a rifle, an airgun, ammunition, a trench helmet, bayonets. One day James Dennis Wyber missed some things, suspected an enemy foraging party. To his roof-fort he climbed, waited until Alexander Annunciato, 9, began to climb to the enemy fortress—a garage roof. Soldier Annunciato got three companions, prepared to take the Wyber fort. Soldier Wyber fired a warning shot, hit Soldier Annunciato in the back, wounded him severely.