I always get a mad twinkle in my eyes whenever I hear someone lament about how much better life was in the past. The truth is, it wasn’t much different than it is today.
It’s been a while since I’ve rounded up some brutal news reports from the past. Today, let’s take a look at people getting their heads crushed, smashed, and hammered.
1. Fall of Rocks
“Richard Wilson, a miner employed at the Rough and Ready colliery, was fatally injured by a fall of rock in the chamber in which he was working. His head was smashed so badly that it was unrecognizable.”
Source: The Carbon advocate. (Lehighton, Pa.), 18 Nov. 1893.
2. Hatchet Attack
“Andrew Renan, caretaker of Mayfield Country Club, was hacked to death with a hatchet in cabin at South Euclid and Bluestone Roads. Skull crushed and head nearly severed from body.”
Source: The day book. (Chicago, Ill.), 02 Sept. 1915.
3. Fell While Hunting Goats
“A. Watton, 55, while hunting goats, fell 50 feet from a ledge striking on his head which was crushed, killing him instantly.”
Source: The Nome nugget. (Nome, Alaska), 02 Nov. 1938.
4. Steam Hammer
“Adam Stark, hit by steam hammer. Head crushed.”
Source: The day book. (Chicago, Ill.), 21 July 1914.
5. Croaked the Woman
“While the police were searching for clues to the murderer of a woman of 45 found in an alley, the back of her head crushed with a piece of pipe, her face and head beaten almost to a pulp with a bludgeon, Harry Dorow, convicted forger, entered a police station on the West Side and calmly stated that he ‘croaked’ the woman because he wanted to, but was sorry she was an ‘old woman.’ He would make no further statement.”
Source: The day book. (Chicago, Ill.), 20 Oct. 1913.
6. Drainage Canal
“Nude body of powerfully built man found in drainage canal, near Willow Springs. Head crushed.”
Source: The day book. (Chicago, Ill.), 25 May 1912.
7. Stepson Arrested
“Mrs. Meek Ralston, Sr., found dead in bed, head crushed and throat slashed. Axe and knife found in yard. Meek Ralston, Jr., 18, stepson, held by police.”
Source: The day book. (Chicago, Ill.), 24 July 1912.
8. Throat Cut, Head Crushed, Forehead Shot: Still Alive
“Henry Rumple, invalid, still living with throat cut, head crushed with hammer and 2 bullets in forehead. Blames it on burglar. Believed suicide attempt. May recover.”
Source: The day book. (Chicago, Ill.), 05 Jan. 1915.
9. Body Found in Slough
“Body of unidentified young woman, her head crushed with hammer, was found in a slough four miles northeast of the city. Mystery.”
Source: The day book. (Chicago, Ill.), 07 Nov. 1914.
10. Ran Over Head
“A Marshall Field & Co. auto truck ran down and almost instantly killed Loretta Duffin, 8 years old, today. One wheel of the heavy truck passed over and crushed the child’s head. Charles Sankey, driver of the truck, was taken into custody by the police.”
Source: The day book. (Chicago, Ill.), 14 Oct. 1914.
11. Monkey Wrench
“Lifeless body of Irvin Mellott, farmer, found with head crushed with monkey wrench in rear seat of his auto.”
Source: The day book. (Chicago, Ill.), 08 Oct. 1914.
12. Elevator Shaft
“Emil Trumbull, 17, messenger boy, found dead with head crushed, foot of elevator shaft.”
Source: The day book. (Chicago, Ill.), 05 Aug. 1915.
13. Kidnapped
“Her head and face crushed and a piece of wire drawn tightly around her neck, body of Louise Mick, 18, who was kidnapped early yesterday in her night clothes, found buried in corn field. Frank Held, 50, arrested.”
Source: The day book. (Chicago, Ill.), 12 Aug. 1914.
