A simple ring turned a jump from a hayrick into a painful accident for a Wyoming man in 1917.
F.M. Johnson, of the Newcastle area, was climbing down from a hayrick when his ring caught on a nail. The sudden snag tore his finger completely off at the first joint, leaving him in need of immediate medical attention.
Johnson was rushed into town, where a physician was forced to amputate the injured finger at the second joint. While recovering under the doctor’s care at his brother’s home, his accident served as a grim reminder of how quickly ordinary farm work could become dangerous.
Ring Tears Off His Finger
NEWCASTLE, Wyoming. — F.M. Johnson, while jumping from a hayrick to the ground the other afternoon, had the misfortune to lose a finger.
Mr. Johnson’s ring became caught in a nail when he jumped, and the finger was torn completely off at the first joint. He was at once brought to town to have the finger attended to, and a physician amputated the member at the second joint.
He is now doing as well as can be expected. Mr. Johnson is staying at the home of his brother, Clarence Johnson, in this city, while he is under the doctor’s care.
Source: The Thermopolis Independent. Thermopolis, Wyo. March 23, 1917.
