On 8 July 1925, the Harrisburg Telegraph reported on an unusual and very serious event that occurred in Upper Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania:
WIFE LOSES LEGS WHEN TANGLED IN HAY LIFTING ROPE
Mrs. John Latsha of Near Millersburg Injured When Horse Runs Away
LOOP ENCIRCLES ANKLES
Ropes attached to a hay fork tangled about the legs of Mrs. John Latsha, near Millersburg yesterday while she aided her husband at the barn and caused injuries which necessitated amputation of both legs at the Harrisburg Hospital.
Mrs. Latsha was leading the horse used to draw the fork load of hay to the ridge pole of the barn when the horse turned and rope encircled her ankles. The horse bolted and ran into the barn dragging the woman along.
As the fork hit the pulley at the roof of the barn the rope tightened with a jerk that virtually torn off both of Mrs. Latsha’s legs above the ankles.
Her husband was on top the load of hay at the time and leaped to her assistance. She was treated at first by Dr. D. E. Hottenstine, Millersburg and later brought to the Harrisburg Hospital where her condition this morning is reported as being only fair.
Both her legs were amputated below the knees at the hospital last night.
Mr. Latsha is a former minister of the Lutheran denomination.
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As a follow-up to this story, the Elizabethville Echo gave this report in its 20 August 1925:
Mrs. John Latsha returned to her home at Reigle’s Church on Sunday. At the Harrisburg Hospital both legs were amputated on account of the accident on 7 July 1925, when she was leading a horse which was drawing a hay fork.
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Mrs. John Latsha was formerly Naomi Josephine Byerly, born in 1883. She did not die as a result of the accident and amputation, but lived until the age of 95. She died in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 6 September 1978.
Rev. John Adam Latsha, a Lutheran minister, was born in 1875. He died in 1970 at the age of 94 in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.