Published in the Goldendale Sentinel, August 27, 1964
[Copied from the original newspaper by Researcher E Rowley]
Road Worker’s Life Taken by Falling Rock
"Elmer Schumaker, 43, who made his home with his wife and a son at the Sterling Trailer Court, Goldendale, was instantly killed Wednesday morning at 10:33 a.m.
while operating a drill on the new logging road being constructed by the St. Regis Paper company along the Big Klickitat River. Dave Hawak, 22, Ellensburg, who was working with Schumaker at the time, was
slightly injured in the accident.
According to deputy sheriff, Tom Edison, dispatched to investigate the accident with Coroner Alf M. Jacobsen and Eldon McKune, Schumaker was drilling powder holes when approximately 1000 pounds of rock
came down on top of him. Mrs. Roy Lundberg, head nurse at the Klickitat Valley Hospital, accompanied the men to the scene, but Schumaker was dead on their arrival.
The accident occurred approximately 200 yards north of the Twin Bridges on the Big Klickitat River. Hawak told Deputy Edison that he was looking toward the compressor at the time the rock let loose and
that the first thing he knew he was knocked to the ground by one of the boulders.
Sheriff D. H. Pruitt dispatched the White Salmon Rescue car to the scene and also summoned Dr. Timmer of Goldendale in case their assistance was needed.
The remains were brought to Goldendale by Knosher Funeral Home from which funeral arrangements will be made."
[Researcher Note: Elmer Schumacher was buried in
Saint Sylvester Catholic Church Cemetery in Woodsfield, Ohio.]
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