Andrew MAXFIELD

  Death Notes:

The Deseret News Newspaper 1895-05-04 Page 17
WORK OF LIGHTNING.

Sunday afternoon about 4:30 o'clock, terrific flash of lightning, followed by a deafening peal of thunder, spent its force on the dugway of the county road leading from Little Cottonwood canyon, along the dividing line between Granite and Union wards, to South Cottonwood. At the point named were two boys on horseback. They had been out for a ride and were returning to their homes. One was Alexander Maxfield, 19 years old, and the other, Frederick Webb, about the same age, whose father has recently moved from Salt Lake to Butlerville. The lightning struck the two horses, instantly kitting the one young Maxfield was riding; the one Webb was on died a few secondslater, Maxfield's clothing was set on fire. Maxfield's horse fell upon his leg, binding him to the ground, while Webb was free from his animal, and immediately got up and began to walk toward his father's house, about one fourth of a mile north of where the accident happened.

A Mr. Goft, seeing smoke arising from the ground where be had seen the boys and horses but a moment before, hastened to the spot, and met young Webb, who told him what had happened, going on home. Mr. Goft went to the relief of Maxfield, and succeeded in releasing him from his position. Maxfield's clothing was almost entirely burned from his body, his underclothing being in shreds. The stockings alone remained whole somewhat charred. The father of Frederick Webb, with some neighbors, procured a wagon and brought Maxfield to the formers house while a messenger was dispatched for Dr. Rauseher, who resides bear the South Cottonwood ward house. Dr. A. Henzel, who was visiting Dr. Rauecher at the time, went with him and found the two bays conscious, but Maxwell was suffering intensely. Upon examination It was learned that his skull was badly fractured; and he had an internal hemorrhage, which threatened every few moments to choke him through the heavy flow of blood. Injections of morphine were administered to relieve his pain and about 6 o'clock he become unconscious, dying about 8 o'clock. His mother was gent for and the body was removed to the deceased's borne. It is understood the lather and another brother were up in Big Cottonwood canyon at the time of the young man's death.

When the NEWS reporter: left the Webbresidence Monday morning Frederick was feeling much easier, having passed a fairy restful night, though his face and head showed plainly the effects, of the fall, and his back was sore. Hopes are confluently entertained that be will soon recover. The horse Maxfield was riding was saddled while Webb's horse bad on only a blanket. Dr. Rauscher stated this morning that in his opinion the immediate cause of young Maxfield's death was fracture of the skull, though, no doubt the by was stunned by the lightning. When picked up be was conscious and begged to be released from his position, at the same time endeavoring to extricate himself.

  Burial Notes:

Grave Location: Murray City Cemetery, 02 048 0

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Census, 1880, South Cottonwood, Salt Lake, Utah, USA.