Cave-in Causes DeathCave-in Causes DeathRobert Peak, son of William Peak was killed Wednesday evening while working in a tile ditch on the home farm one mile east of Duncan, in Isabel township.
The young man was last seen alive at about 5 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, according to reports received here. He was then throwing dirt from the bottom of the ditch, where drain tile was to be laid.
The father and son had been working during the day laying tile in a ditch. About 5 o’clock the father went to the house to do the chores and the son continued with the work in the ditch, saying that he would come to the house at supper time.
When he did not come to supper his mother, after waiting and watching for him until nearly 8 o’clock, feared he might be ill, and went down to the place where he had been at work, a quarter of a mile from the house.
Finding the ditch caved in, she hastened back and informed the father.
Mr. Peak immediately realized what must have happened, and after an hour’s work the corpse was found, under two feet of loose earth. It was in a stooped position. Evidently the force of the fall of earth had driven the breath from his body, and crushed out his life.
Robert Peak is survived by his parents and two sisters, the Misses Mildred, now employed at Starved Rock, and Lucille of Lewistown.
He served during the world war in the engineers corps in France, and was financial secretary of Bishop post, No. 1, American Legion, of Lewistown.
He was about 26 years of age, was unmarried, a man of fine character, and any friends are deeply grieved by his untimely death.
Coroner F. A. Smith conducted an inquest Thursday morning, and a verdict was returned in accordance with the evidence.
Bishop post No. 1, American Legion of Lewistown, held a military funeral, the services taking place Friday afternoon at the Lyman Tracey farm, in Isabel township.