Nearing an Accident – On the 5th inst., Mr. John SPROLES came near losing his life at Page’s Saw Mill, three miles north of town.  Attempting the hazardous feat of passing from the front of the saw, under the sash, to the rear, he was struck in the head by the descending sash, and knocked down.  Before he could extricate himself from his position, the saw tore a portion of his shirt from his shoulder.  A few inches farther and we should have placed a black rule at the head of an obituary notice, of one of our oldest subscribers.

Source: Bristol News, 13 Jan 1874, pg. 4.  ChroniclingAmerica.gov
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85026955/1874-01-13/ed-1/seq-4/