Individual Details

Independent Record, Helena, Montana, Monday, September 12, 1949, Page 2, Col. 6: Farmhand Killed By Touching "Hot" Wire Fence. Sidney, Sept. 12---(AP)---An inquest will be held this evening in the electrocution of Richard Williams, 45-year-old farm laborer. Williams died instantly when he got out of a truck and touched a gate on the Andrew Mercer Farm eight miles south east of here. Authorities said a storm had knocked down a 13,000-volt rural electrification administration line during the night. Unknown to Williams, the power line was touching the wire fence. He received the full charge. Russell Mercer, one of the owners of the farm on which Williams worked, pried the victim's body from the gate with a pitchfork. He also put out a grass fire started by sparks from Williams' body. Williams will be buried Tuesday. Survivors include four brothers, a sister, the mother, and eight children.

Birth	16 Dec 1902	Miles City, Custer Co., Montana
Residence	1910	Age: 7; Relation to Head of House: Son - Gossett School District, Dawson Co., Montana
Marriage	22 Oct 1921	Sidney, Richland Co., Montana - Nettie May Herbert
Residence	1930	School District 21, Richland, Montana
Residence	1935	Valley Co., Montana
Residence	1 Apr 1940	Age: 37; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Head - McCone, McCone Co., Montana
Death	9 Sep 1949	Richland Co., Montana
Burial		Sidney Cemetery, Sidney, Richland Co., Montana

Spouse	Nettie May Herbert (1903 - 1947)
Child	Mary D. Williams (1923 - )
Child	Robert C. Williams (1924 - )
Child	Leonard C. Williams (1926 - )
Child	Clara M. Williams (1927 - )
Child	Gordon L. Williams (1928 - )
Child	Peggie Y. Williams (1929 - )