The Daily Telegram., March 21, 1903
Excerpt–
Charles L. Schmick was awarded a permit to erect a two-story frame house on Maple Avenue.
CHARLES SCHMICK KILLED IN ACCIDENT IN OIL FIELDS
Prominent Oil Producer and Real Estate Man Meets Violent and Untimely Death on the J. T. Dye Farm Near Rinehart in Wetzel Co.
Was Thrown Under Rapidly Moving Belt in Engine House and Clamps Crushed his Skull to Pieces. He was Widely and Favorably Known in This Section and his Death Causes Universal Sorrow.
The Daily Telegram., July 02, 1904
The Clarksburg Telegram., July 08, 1904
Charles L. Schmick, of this city, a well-known and prominent oil producer, contractor and real estate man, was killed in the engine room of an oil derrick on the J. T. Dye farm at Rinehart, two miles west of Wallace on the Short Line Railroad, in Wetzel County, Friday night at 11 o’clock.
He fell under a rapidly moving belt and the clamps fastening it together crushed his skull to pieces.
A wave of profound grief and deep sorrow swept over the community when the news of his death was known.
He was a prominent figure in oil circles and was widely and favorably known in this and adjoining counties, where he had been occupied in oil developments and real estate transactions.
Schmick was working on tower at the well.
He was superintending a fishing job, and, as he was unable to employ a man to work on the tower, he took up the work himself.
Late Friday evening he was at work with the machinery in the engine house. He took a handful of hemp and was pressing it down on the moving belt running from the belt wheel to the band wheel on the crank shaft to clean it.
In some manner or other his hand was caught and he was thrown to the ground. He fell underneath the lower part of the moving belt with his head in the space between the belt and the floor.
The heavy clamps fastening the ends of the belt together protruded from the belt surface to a considerable distance and each time these clamps flew by on their swiftly revolving journey they struck his head.
The first blow was of heavy force and it crushed his skull, rendering him unconscious.
Before he could be removed from his position or before the machinery could be brought to a stop his head was crushed to pieces.
The body was removed from under the belting by workmen, but the unfortunate man’s head was so terribly torn and crushed that it was seen that life could not possibly exist.
The remains were brought to this city on the noon Short Line train Saturday and taken to the Boggess undertaking parlors to be prepared for burial. Later they were removed to the residence on Maple street.
Funeral arrangements have not been fully completed as yet, but services will be held at the late home some time Sunday and burial will be made in the I. O. O. F. Cemetery.
Mr. Schmick is survived by his wife and one brother, Henry Schmick, superintendent of the Southern Oil Company’s branch at Salem. He was the son of Peter Schmick, of Renfew, Butler county, who survives him. He was 45 years of age. For the past five years he had lived in Clarksburg and about three years ago he built a pretty residence on Maple avenue and had made this city his permanent residence. He was born in Butler county, Pa.
Innumerable friends and acquaintances in this section are deeply pained and grieved over his untimely and violent death. Mr. Schmick was a jovial, kind, courteous, generous, industrious man and an excellent citizen.
Mr. Schmick was a member of Parkersburg Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The Clarksburg Lodge of Elks will take part in the obsequies.
MANY ATTENDED
The Funeral of the Late Charles L. Schmick, Which Took Place Monday Afternoon Under Auspices of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
The Daily Telegram., July 05, 1904
The Clarksburg Telegram., July 08, 1904
The funeral of the late Charles L. Schmick, who was killed in an accident in the oil fields near Rinehart, Wetzel County, Friday night, which took place from the residence on Maple Avenue Monday afternoon, was largely attended.
The universal esteem in which the dead man was held was attested by the large number of friends who attended the last sad rites. Services were conducted at the house by Revs. S. K. Arbuthnot, W. M. Hudson and D. L. Ash.
Mr. Schmick was a member of Parkersburg Lodge No. 198, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the funeral was held under the auspices of Clarksburg lodge No. 482.
The members of the lodge in body numbering over one hundred escorted the remains to the I. O. O. F. cemetery.
The beautiful and impressive ritual funeral services of the order were conducted at the grave by the Clarksburg Elks lodge, assisted by Past District Deputy Allen C. Murdoch, of Parkersburg Lodge.
There were many handsome floral tributes, conspicuous among them being a large and handsome design given by the Elks lodge of Parkersburg, which was in the shape of a clock dial with the dial hands pointing to 11 o’clock, banked with carnations and roses.
