Working on Telephone Pole When Two Thousand Volts Flashed Through His Body

Charles W. Guest, a lineman for the telephone company, was electrocuted at 4:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon when 2,200 volts of electricity passed through his body while he was working on a pole at Wall street and Clinton avenue.

Mr. Guest was astride one of the double cross arms near the top of the tall pole when he lowered his right foot until it came in contact with a high tension wire of the Utah Light & Railway company. At the same time, his hand came in contact the telephone cable, with the result that the immense voltage was grounded through his body. Guest fell backward and hung head downward.

A woman who saw the accident telephoned the police. Dr. H. B. Sprague, assistant city physician, was standing in the desk sergeant's office when the call was received and dashed into fire headquarters next door. Fire Chief W. H. Bywater, Dr. Sprague and two firemen were driven at utmost speed to the scene of the accident where Guest's body was lowered by the firemen with ropes.

On the return trip to the emergency hospital, Dr. Sprague worked over the man and at the emergency hospital, within 20 minutes after receiving the first call, applied the pulmotor, but without success. According to Dr. Sprague, death was instantaneous.

Mr. Guest was 31 years of age. He was born in Salt Lake, the son of the late E. F. M. Guest. His home is at 829 Wilmington avenue and he is survived by a widow and two children. Other relatives are David M., Edward F., John T. and George Guest of Salt Lake; Orson Guest of Blackfoot, Ida.; Mrs. Mary Boyle, Butte, Mont.; Elizabeth Guest and Rhoda Guest of Los Angeles, Cal.

Funeral arrangements have not been completed, though it has been announced that, owing to a possible delay in the arrival of relatives, services will not be held before Friday. The body was removed to the undertaking establishment of Joseph William Taylor.

28 Oct 1913 Deseret News, p. 2

3 Nov 1913 Mon Deseret News p. 12