[D8933ABR], Letter from Harold P Brown to Thomas Alva Edison, October 22nd, 1889
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D8933ABR
→ View document with UniversalViewer
→ View document on Archive.org
→ Re-use this digital object via a IIIF manifest
Title
[D8933ABR], Letter from Harold P Brown to Thomas Alva Edison, October 22nd, 1889
Editor's Notes
My Dear Mr. Edison, As requested I send you herewith a list of the deaths from electric lighting which have been brought to my notice through newspapers, correspondence etc. As such accidents in the past have been hushed up I feel that my list represents little more than half the total number. I have enough, however, to show that the advent of the alternating current during the past two years has greatly increased the death rate. The total deaths in 1886 were but 10; in 1887, 19; in 1888, 42 and the rate so far this year will show a orresponding increase. I have secured a list of all the building lighted with the alternating current apparatus in this city and will be able, as soon as the stations start up after the injunction matter is decided, to indicate just where interesting tests for leakage can be made on a wet night. Sincerely Yours, Harold P. Brown [Enclosure: Deaths from Electric Lighting sent to me since July 1, 1889. Colombus O: Wm. Fraas, clerk killed by touching a grounded pulsating circuit while on side-walk, July 2 1889 Buffalo, N.Y: Lemuel W. Smith, killed by touching the brushes at Brush station, Aug. 8, 1881. Hugh P. Perry, lineman, killed by alternating current, Sept. 5 1889. Phila, Pa.: Lineman T & H Co., by touching grounded Brush circuit. (These two from Mr. Elbridge T. Gerry's report.) San Francisco: Workman in iron works who touched grounded Brush Circuit. (These two from Mr. Elbridge T. Gerry's report.) New Orleans, La. Jas. Dixon, employee Louisiana E.L Co. killed by alternating current July 17, 89. Wichita, Kan. Ernest Condwick, child killed by dangling wire over T. & H. street ar line on July 29, 1889. Pueblo, Col. Jacob Kummerle, fruit dealer, killed on sidewalk by touching incandesent lamp of Heisler alternating current system, on Aug. 29, 1889 St. Louis, Mo. Henry Goodyear, telephone lineman, killed by Westinghouse alternating current on Aug. 31 1889 Houston, Tex. Wm. Hanson, clerk, killed on sidewalk by alternating current wire, sept. 8 1889. Westfield, Mass. Jas. Nelson, fireman, killed by pulsating current while standing on ground, Sept. 4 1889. Washington. D.C John P. Marin, telephone employee, killed by pulsating or alternating on Sept. 16, 1889. New York City. Hentry D.A Henry, Supt. East River Co. killed by alternating current Sept. 8, 1889. Guiseppe Mazza, fruit dealer, killed by alternating current from U.S station on Sept. 14, 1889. John Beit, Lineman US Co killed by alternating current Sept. 21 1889. Jas. Powers, lineman Brush Co. killed on Sept 16 1889 Chas Erdmann, killed by alt. cr. Oct. 8, John E. Feeks, killed by alt. r. Oct. 12 89 See list on page 32 of pamphlet sent
Author
Recipient
Date
1889-10-22
Type
Subject
Folder/Volume ID
D8933-F
Microfilm ID
126:94
Document ID
D8933ABR
Publisher
Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University