LAYMAN, Charles - L-Obituaries

A double tragedy snuffed out the lives of Byron Myers, Jr 30-year-old young farmer and Charles Layman of Veedersburg when they were electrocuted Thursday morning while trying to place pipe in a newly drilled well. Asa Oblinger who was working with them, suffered burns on both hands. The fatal accident occurred about 9:15 a.m. on the Myers farm west of Steam Corner. Mr. Layman, employed by the Fountain County Coop assisted by Oblinger, also of Veedersburg were installing the pipe in Mr. Myers’ new well. The three men had elevated a 40’ section of pipe for insertion in the well.  All were holding the long pipe upright, Myers and Layman standing on the wet ground.  Oblinger had hold of the pipe below the holds of Byron and Charley and was standing on a heavy timber to which he probably owes the fact that his life was spared.  As they balanced the pipe to lower it into the hole, a gust of wind blew it northward until it struck the high tension Rural Electric wires overhead.  There was a flash of electricity and both young men fell lifeless. Oblinger, his hands seared by the powerful current, dropped the pipe.  Doctors CB McCord and GJU Himebaught were called from Veedersburg but both Byron and Charles were beyond all medical aid. Oblinger’s burns were not serious.  Coroner Charles Fishero was called to make an inquiry and report the circumstances. Byron Myers was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Myers and grandson of Mrs. Elizabeth and the late Byron Myers, Sr of south of Veedersburg.  He is survived by his widow, Freda and two young children, Michael and Donna Sue as well as his parents, three brothers and sisters and an uncle, Earl Myers of Veedersburg.  The sisters are Mrs. Eleanor Ratcliff of Kingman; Mrs. Dean Cronkhite of Waveland and Mrs. James Holmes of Veedersburg. The three surviving brothers are Lt. Comm Herman Myers, Jr of the US Navy and now in foreign waters; Eston Myers of Wallace and Robert Earl Myers of Waveland.  Charles Layman is a native of Veedersburg and was married only a year ago to the former Miriam Boord who is employed at the Donnelley plant in Crawfordsville. Besides his widow, Mr. Layman leaves one brother, Daniel of Veedersburg and two sisters, Mrs. Louise Trucano of Delphos, Ohio and Mrs. Grace Teague of New Market.  – kbz