LAPE, John - foot cut off - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

John Lape, who resides on the Ike Vanleer place two miles southwest of West Lebanon met with a serious accident Friday afternoon July 21.  He was mowing in a field near his home and for some reason stepped down in front of the machine. The team of mules he was driving became restless and in order to straighten them up he slapped them with the lines, not realizing that he was standing in front of the sickle bar. The team lunged forward and the sickle bar caught Mr. Lape’s right leg, severing it just above the ankle except for a small shred of flesh and skin.  Ott Hobaugh and Schuyler Hamar who were passing were attracted by his cries and took him to his home nearby where Dr. Stephenson and Heald of West Lebanon were called and finished amputating the food and dressed the wound.  Unless unexpected complications arise, Mr. Lape will recover.  He is 67 years of age and bears his misfortune well for a man so far advanced in years. His chief concern when hurt seemed to be how his wife would take this latest misfortune as the family has been sorely tried this spring. On April 17, Goldie Smith, a granddaughter was killed in the Hedrick cyclone, May 9, James Black a son-in-law was killed by a disc harrow in a runaway near Hedrick and now, July 21st, Mr. Lape suffering the loss of his foot.  He had made the remark that if any more accidents had to happen he hoped it would be him and his request was granted.  Mr. Lape was already lame in his left foot and says he would not feel so bad about it had it been that one that was amputated. The family certainly has the sympathy of the entire community in their series of misfortunes.