- 1901, Friday January 25, The Almonte Gazette, page 4
Killed In His Bedroom
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Sudden death of Dr. John Young at Smiths's Falls, While Handling an Electric Lamp ? An Inquest ? Funeral on Tuesday, From the Home of His parents in Ramsay ? A Melancholy Affair.
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The people of Almonte and Ramsay were shocked last Friday morning when a telephone message was received from Smith's Falls stating that the previous night John Young, L.D.S. D.D.S., of that town, fourth son of Mr William Young, of Ramsay, had been instantly killed by an electric shock while handling the electric lamp in his bedroom. It appears that prior to retiring for the night the deceased took a bath in the bathroom next to his bedroom, which is on the flat above his dental offices. The supposition is that after taking the bath and drying himself with a towel he was in the act of carrying the electric lamp (to which is attached a long cord to admit of its being carried about) from the bathroom into his bedroom, when he touched the stovepipes and probably had his feet on the ironwork that encased the pipes leading from the stove in the room below, through which the water pipes run to heat the water. At all events at this point the electric lamp seems to have become charged with more that its due share of electricity, as he undoubtedly got the shock that killed him on the spot. Experts explain that the high voltages was caused in some way by the electric current, which always seeks the shortest way to ground, following the stovepipes and the waterpipes to the ground. As soon as Dr Young put his feet on the ironwork he was instantly killed, in the opinion of electricians. In falling he fell against the stovepipes in the room, knocking them down. Nothing was known of the fatality till Friday morning, when Miss Bessie Clint, the Doctor's assistant, after waiting an hour longer than usual, and not hearing any noise, ascended the stairs and found the Doctor's body lying on the floor in his room. As soon as word reached Almonte Rev Mr Mitchell communicated by telephone with Dr. Y's brother Mr A.N. Young, of Rosebank, and drove down to the homestead to break the news to the family. This is the first death in the family of ten children, and is a heavy blow to the parents. Death at any age and under any circumstances is both sad and painful, but it is doubly so when, as in this case, the one cut off is in the vigour of manhood, with apparently a bright and useful future before him. The late John Young, after attending the Almonte high school for a number of years and obtaining a departmental certificate, taught school at White Lake, and afterwards in a section close to Smith's Falls for a few years. He then studied dentistry with Dr. McPhee, of Arnprior. On obtaining his degree he opened an office in Smith's Falls, where he soon, by his kindness of manner and his professional skill built up a splendid and increasing practice. Everything bade him hope for a successful and useful future, but the all-wise Father willed it otherwise. Dr Young was highly respected by all classes and conditions of men in Smith's Falls, and his untimely death has placed the whole of that town in gloom. He was an active worker in St. Paul's church, being secretary of the congregation and a Sabbath school teacher. A letter for his clergyman, Rev Mr Nixon, says that it will never be known on this side of eternity the amount of good done by the deceased, so pure was his life, so kind his disposition to all, and so generous was he in assisting those in need. Deceased was an Oddfellow and a member of the Canadian Order of Foresters, and the members of those societies showed every kindness and rendered all assistance possible to the relatives when they reached Smith's Falls Friday afternoon, in preparing the body to be brought home. An inquest was held Friday, and the verdict of the coroner's jury was that the deceased died from an electric shock, but that no blame attached to anyone. When the father and two sons arrived with the body at Almonte on Saturday evening, a large number of sympathizing friends met them at the station. The body was conveyed to the homestead of the 10th line Ramsay. He leaves behind him, besides his sorrowing parents, seven brothers and two sisters to mourn his untimely death. His sisters are Mrs Thos Wilson, of Fitzroy, and Mrs P. Sutherland, of Ramsay; and his brothers are Robert, the eldest, and George E., the youngest, on the homestead; Alexander N., teacher at Blakeney; William M., in Detroit; Peter, in Crystal City, Man.; Rev Stephen Young, at home at present; and Rev Henry Young, of Calgary, N.W.T. With the exception of Rev Stephen Young and Peter, of Crystal City, all the children were present at the obsequies. St Paul's S.S. and the Smith's Falls Oddfellows, Foresters, dentist and other sent handsome floral offerings.
The Funeral
Took place on Tuesday at 1.30 p.m. from the homestead to the eighth line cemetery, and was one of the largest ever seen in this section, testifying to the universal esteem entertained for the deceased and to the deep sympathy felt for the bereaved family. The relgious services were conducted by Rev Mr Mitchell and Rev T. Nixon of St Paul's church, Smith's Falls, of which the late Dr. Young was a member. Mr Thos Clint, a member of the session of St Paul's, was also present. The C.O.F. and I.O.O.F lodges of Smith's Falls and Almonte attended in a body. The Foresters of Court Victoria, Smith's Falls, were represented by the following brethren: Jas Garvin, C.R., F.W. Hall, secretary, Thos Devlin and G.H. Frost, Court Hope, C.O.F. ?J. Lyle, Wm Miller and Robt Storey; Rideau Lodge, I.O.O.F. ? Dr Weagant, Dr Burns, Dr Loucks (the three Smith's Falls member of the dental profession), J.A. Reid, D.D.G.M. M.W. Evertts, John A. Johnston, W.J. Steele, F. Atkinson. There was a good turnout of the Almonte Oddfellows. The grave, after a brief service by Rev Mr Mitchell, the burial service of the I.O.O.F. was read by Bro. J.A. Reid, of Rideau Lodge No. 241, acting as Noble Grand, and by Bro. P.C. McGregor, Chaplin of Alpha Lodge, Almonte. Bro. Jas Garvin, of Court Victoria, C.O.F., Smith's Falls then read a portion of the service of the Foresters, after which all the was mortal of the late Dr. Young was committed to the tomb.
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