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Notes

Aberdeen Journal Thursday, August 7, 1884 Thrashing Mill Accident - Action For Damages In the Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday, Sheriff Brown on the bench, proof was led in an action at the instance of Helen Kemp, daughter of John Kemp, crofter, Essie, Aberdeen, suing Wm Anderson, farmer, Woodside, Kennethmont, for £250, in name of damages and solatium for injuries received by the pursuer. In the condescendence it was stated that the pursuer was a domestic servant in the defender's employment: that the duties were those usually performed by a general servant, and almost entirely confined to housework. It was, however, her custom, to attend the trashing mill and loose the sheaves to the person feeding the mill, but it was no part of her duty to feed the mill. On the 11th March the pursuer and the defender were feeding the mill with what is known as "tails" ie grain chaff, and short pieces of straw. There was more than ordinary danger in connection with this operation, as the "tails" are very short, and the hands of the person feeding are brought in close proximity to the rollers of the mill. While so engaged the pursuer's left hand was dragged between the rollers, and was so severely crushed and bruised that her left arm had to be amputated below the elbow. In consequence of her injuries, pursuer alleges that she is totally incapacitated from following her usual employment or engaging in any kind of manual occupation: and that the injuries were caused by the negligence and carelesness of the defender. the defender in his pleas in law avers that the injuries sustained by the pursuer not having been caused by the fault of the defender, he is not liable for reparation, and the injuries having been caused, or materially contributed to, by the pursuer's own fault she is not entitled to reparation. Mr James W Mackie appeared for the pursuer, and Mr A E Smith for the defender. After hearing the evidence, the Sheriff fixed a date for hearing the agents.