Gene Notes

Some random and some not-so-random thoughts on family history.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Thriller Thursday - The Fall of Tinsley Chinn

Over the years, I've come across many odd first names. Tinsley is one of those. Even odder was his nickname "Chops." Tinsley was a young man of 29 at the time of his death.

From: Lexington Herald, Lexington, Kentucky, obituary, 9 December 1921, p1 c4 and p 10 c4

LINEMAN MEETS DEATH IN FALL

Tinsley S. Chinn, 29, Employe of Traction Company, Fatally Injured When His Foot Slips on Pole

FELLOW WORKER WITNESS

Tinsley S. Chinn, 29 years old, of Third and Seventh streets, wire repairer for the Kentucky Traction and Terminal company, was almost instantly killed yesterday afternoon about 3 o'clock, when he fell from a pole on which he was working, at the corner of Richmond avenue and the Richmond pike.

At the time of the accident, Chinn and Russell Hall, of 343 South Upper street, were connecting a lighting system for Richmond avenue, Hall being on the ground near the foot of the pole.

It is thought that Chinn was just starting to climb down the pole when his foot slipped. He fell about 22 feet, striking on the back of his head and shoulders. His skull was crushed and he died on the way to the Good Samaritan Hospital.

His body was later removed to the John Milward Funeral Home on West Second Street.

Chinn, who was called "Chops" by his many friends, was one of the most valuable men in the employ of the traction company, officials said yesterday. He had been employed for nearly 12 years except during the war period, when he was stationed at Louisville, being an instructor in the motor school there.

Chinn had made his home in Lexington all his life. Many calls from Lexington and from surrounding towns were received last night at the traction office expressing regret at his death.

In his immediate family Chinn is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mattie Chinn; his father, John M. Chinn, of Scott County, who came to Lexington yesterday to visit his son, and a sister, Mrs. Joseph Medford, of 118 East Sixth Street. Also surviving are two aunts, Mrs. D. W. Keiser, 417 Maple avenue; Mrs. F. W. Hunt, 183 Loudon avenue; an uncle S. J. Chinn, of Scott county, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Holland of Midway.

Copyright 2011, ACK for Gene Notes

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