Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

John M. Leake, 36, was in the Holley-Mason Hardware building looking for the lavatory.

He mistakenly stepped through the open doorway to the elevator shaft. He fell a short distance to the ground. He was unhurt because he had been on the first floor.

As he was hoisting himself back onto the doorsill, he looked up and saw, to his horror, the elevator car was coming down toward him. He shouted for help and the elevator operator was able to reverse the car. However, the car briefly pinned Leake against the doorsill.

Leake was able to climb out and seemed little the worse for wear, but he soon began complaining about abdominal pain.

Holley-Mason officials persuaded him to go to the hospital, where he was treated and released.

However, the next day he took a turn for the worse. He died at his Glenrose home of internal injuries.

From the mining beat: Hundreds of people turned out to watch an unusual competition at the Wallace High School gymnasium.

First-aid teams from nine mines in the area “bandaged imaginary wounds and made temporary stretchers.” They were judged on a points system.

Teams from Hecla won both first and second place, followed by the Bunker Hill & Sullivan team in third.