ABSTRACT
There was also a large wheel on the top of the shaft, about six feet from the floor. The indentation made in the wall for the wheel was about eight inches. The shaft and wheel being quite unguarded, the rotatory motion caused a strong current of air, which drew her shawl round the shaft; she shouted out, and when assistance was at last obtained, she was jammed fast between the shaft and the wall. All her clothes were torn off below her stays, and her left arm was wrenched off a little below the elbow. The engine was stopped, and on taking her clothes off the
shaft, her arm was found cased in the sleeve of her gown. A surgeon was then sent for, who said the stump would have to be amputated, about four inches from her shoulder. She was then conveyed to the Infirmary, where, on further examination, it was discovered that her right hand was broken in three places; her left thigh was also severely bumed by the friction of the shaft; her neck and several other parts of her person were also much burnt. She is pregnant, and after the stump had been ampu tated, she was thrown in labour by the fright; but the symptoms were repressed by opiates. James Lees has a family of two children. The shaft was immediately taken down after this accident happened. The Messrs. M------ have not yet made any compensation. The shaft which caused this acci dent was not only left unguarded, but was useless; it performed 140 revolutions per minute, close by a thoroughfare in the mill, and consequently was in a dangerous position. If these gentlemen had used that care which is requisite in such places, they would have removed this useless shaft, before it had done the mischief; and I hope I may be allowed to add, that if they had been influenced by the dictates of justice and humanity, as they ought to have been, they would have soothed and alleviated the affliction they had caused this poor family, by every act of kindness in their power. But they have not only not done this, but, if I have been correctly informed, they have actually stopped the husband9s wages for the time lost in waiting upon his wife. Can this be
right ? [Since my return to London, I have heard that James Lees has got his wife home, but that she is in a very weak state, and that his masters have given him the sum or ten shillings ]^
James Lees is a well-informed steady man, and appears to be a very affectionate husband. When I called, last night, to see him, he had been at the In firmary with his wife most part of the day, and had to go to sit up with her all night; and had to work to-day in an atmosphere from 90 to 100 degrees. His work is ruining his Constitution, and he does not expect to be able to follow it after forty years of age ; and what to do for a living after that, he could not teil. The poor man was almost melancholy at the reflections on the past, and the gloomy anticipations of the future.
