THE FLAGLER TRIBUNE
Bunnell, Florida
Thursday, May 16 1935

 

The most tragic death to occur in Flagler county in several years was that of Thomas W. Bessant, who was killed early Tuesday morning when he came in contact with live wires while assisting in fighting a fire threatened to destroy the home of Dr. L. A. Carter.

Mr. Bessant, after fighting the fire for some time, found the wires lying with exposed ends on the lawn, he remarked when he grasped the wires that “I will move these before some one steps on them.” According to eyewitnesses he picked up the wires and carried them several feet attempting to throw the ends upon the porch of the Carter home. The wires bounded back against Bessant where the insulation had been burned off. He fell to the ground and on the wire, and it was several minutes before those around him could safely break the contact.

Jimmie Jenkins began artificial resuscitation and Dr. Carter administered hypodermic injection, and then the stricken man was carried to a hospital in Daytona Beach. Doctors there said that he was dead when he arrived.

Bessant was a native of Brooklyn, New York, coming to Bunnell about ten years ago and has been engaged in general contracting business during that time, and also was employed by the Florida Power & Light Company to superintend their power lines. in this area.

Funeral services were held this afternoon in the parlors of Baggett­Wetherby in Daytona Beach, with Rev. J. E. Jenkins, pastor of the local Methodist church, conducting the service.

The body was shipped late today to Brooklyn for burial, the body being accompanied by the widow, sister and father.

Survivors are his widow, Mrs. Lillian Bessant; three small sons, Thomas, Jr., Billie and Jack; his father, William Bessant and a sister, Mrs. F. M. Hargert, both of Brooklyn.