Arizona Record newspaper, Oct. 18, 1956:
Globe Mother Of Two Is Electrocuted While Bathing
Surgeons Massage Heart In Attempt To Save Life
Defective wiring in a light switch was reported this week as causing the death by electrocution of a Globe [Arizona] mother, Betty Elizabeth Peterson, 35, according to ex-officio Coroner Douglas Clyde Shute. Shute made the announcement Tuesday after Phoenix electricians had examined the premises at 468 Yuma St. As a result of the discovery, Shute ordered the apartment closed and forbade its use until it has been rewired.
Mrs. Peterson, mother of a boy Ralph Edward, 10, and a girl Sharon, seven, died between 5:30 and 6 p.m. Friday. She was electrocuted while taking a bath, and failed to respond to artificial respiration given by her husband, Ralph, a Globe painter. Taken to Gila General Hospital, surgeons opened the woman's chest in a vain attempt to revive her by massaging her heart.
Shute said Mrs. Peterson's husband gave this account of the tragedy:
Peterson had returned home from work and had taken a bath. After he finished bathing, his wife got into the tub while Peterson was in the adjoining bedroom preparing to shave. He heard his wife cry out, dashed into the small bathroom and grabbed her. When he did, he received a jolt of electricity throwing him backwards against a door frame six feet away. Recovering, he returned to the tub, slipped his arms under his wife's arms, and dragged her from the tub. When she left the water, Peterson ceased feelnig the sock. Taking his wife into the bedroom, he began artificial respiration while sending for additional help.
Dr. Daniel J. Condon, Maricopa County medical examiner, was called to Globe by Shute to perform a postmortem Friday evening. His examination confirmed that Mrs. Peterson had "...died as the result of electric shock," and Shute said there would be no inquest.
According to Shute, a wire to a light switch terminal touched metal allowing current to flow into water taps in the bath tub and sink of the Peterson apartment when the light was turned on.
The Globe ex-officio coroner said Mrs. Peterson's husband told him his wife was sitting in the tub with her back to the faucets. "Evidently," said Shute said, "she leaned back against the faucets as was electrocuted. Burns on her back corresponded with the position of the faucets."
Mrs. Peterson was born April 5, 1921, in Menominee, Mich., and had lived in Globe for five years.
Survivors in addition to her husband, son and daughter, are her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Heider, Menominee, and four brothers out of state.
Mrs. Peterson's body was shipped to Menominee for burial under the direction of Walker's Globe Mortuary.
(Courtesy Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum, Miami, AZ)
Globe Mother Of Two Is Electrocuted While Bathing
Surgeons Massage Heart In Attempt To Save Life
Defective wiring in a light switch was reported this week as causing the death by electrocution of a Globe [Arizona] mother, Betty Elizabeth Peterson, 35, according to ex-officio Coroner Douglas Clyde Shute. Shute made the announcement Tuesday after Phoenix electricians had examined the premises at 468 Yuma St. As a result of the discovery, Shute ordered the apartment closed and forbade its use until it has been rewired.
Mrs. Peterson, mother of a boy Ralph Edward, 10, and a girl Sharon, seven, died between 5:30 and 6 p.m. Friday. She was electrocuted while taking a bath, and failed to respond to artificial respiration given by her husband, Ralph, a Globe painter. Taken to Gila General Hospital, surgeons opened the woman's chest in a vain attempt to revive her by massaging her heart.
Shute said Mrs. Peterson's husband gave this account of the tragedy:
Peterson had returned home from work and had taken a bath. After he finished bathing, his wife got into the tub while Peterson was in the adjoining bedroom preparing to shave. He heard his wife cry out, dashed into the small bathroom and grabbed her. When he did, he received a jolt of electricity throwing him backwards against a door frame six feet away. Recovering, he returned to the tub, slipped his arms under his wife's arms, and dragged her from the tub. When she left the water, Peterson ceased feelnig the sock. Taking his wife into the bedroom, he began artificial respiration while sending for additional help.
Dr. Daniel J. Condon, Maricopa County medical examiner, was called to Globe by Shute to perform a postmortem Friday evening. His examination confirmed that Mrs. Peterson had "...died as the result of electric shock," and Shute said there would be no inquest.
According to Shute, a wire to a light switch terminal touched metal allowing current to flow into water taps in the bath tub and sink of the Peterson apartment when the light was turned on.
The Globe ex-officio coroner said Mrs. Peterson's husband told him his wife was sitting in the tub with her back to the faucets. "Evidently," said Shute said, "she leaned back against the faucets as was electrocuted. Burns on her back corresponded with the position of the faucets."
Mrs. Peterson was born April 5, 1921, in Menominee, Mich., and had lived in Globe for five years.
Survivors in addition to her husband, son and daughter, are her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Heider, Menominee, and four brothers out of state.
Mrs. Peterson's body was shipped to Menominee for burial under the direction of Walker's Globe Mortuary.
(Courtesy Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum, Miami, AZ)
Arizona Record newspaper, Oct. 18, 1956:
Globe Mother Of Two Is Electrocuted While Bathing
Surgeons Massage Heart In Attempt To Save Life
Defective wiring in a light switch was reported this week as causing the death by electrocution of a Globe [Arizona] mother, Betty Elizabeth Peterson, 35, according to ex-officio Coroner Douglas Clyde Shute. Shute made the announcement Tuesday after Phoenix electricians had examined the premises at 468 Yuma St. As a result of the discovery, Shute ordered the apartment closed and forbade its use until it has been rewired.
Mrs. Peterson, mother of a boy Ralph Edward, 10, and a girl Sharon, seven, died between 5:30 and 6 p.m. Friday. She was electrocuted while taking a bath, and failed to respond to artificial respiration given by her husband, Ralph, a Globe painter. Taken to Gila General Hospital, surgeons opened the woman's chest in a vain attempt to revive her by massaging her heart.
Shute said Mrs. Peterson's husband gave this account of the tragedy:
Peterson had returned home from work and had taken a bath. After he finished bathing, his wife got into the tub while Peterson was in the adjoining bedroom preparing to shave. He heard his wife cry out, dashed into the small bathroom and grabbed her. When he did, he received a jolt of electricity throwing him backwards against a door frame six feet away. Recovering, he returned to the tub, slipped his arms under his wife's arms, and dragged her from the tub. When she left the water, Peterson ceased feelnig the sock. Taking his wife into the bedroom, he began artificial respiration while sending for additional help.
Dr. Daniel J. Condon, Maricopa County medical examiner, was called to Globe by Shute to perform a postmortem Friday evening. His examination confirmed that Mrs. Peterson had "...died as the result of electric shock," and Shute said there would be no inquest.
According to Shute, a wire to a light switch terminal touched metal allowing current to flow into water taps in the bath tub and sink of the Peterson apartment when the light was turned on.
The Globe ex-officio coroner said Mrs. Peterson's husband told him his wife was sitting in the tub with her back to the faucets. "Evidently," said Shute said, "she leaned back against the faucets as was electrocuted. Burns on her back corresponded with the position of the faucets."
Mrs. Peterson was born April 5, 1921, in Menominee, Mich., and had lived in Globe for five years.
Survivors in addition to her husband, son and daughter, are her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Heider, Menominee, and four brothers out of state.
Mrs. Peterson's body was shipped to Menominee for burial under the direction of Walker's Globe Mortuary.
(Courtesy Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum, Miami, AZ)
Globe Mother Of Two Is Electrocuted While Bathing
Surgeons Massage Heart In Attempt To Save Life
Defective wiring in a light switch was reported this week as causing the death by electrocution of a Globe [Arizona] mother, Betty Elizabeth Peterson, 35, according to ex-officio Coroner Douglas Clyde Shute. Shute made the announcement Tuesday after Phoenix electricians had examined the premises at 468 Yuma St. As a result of the discovery, Shute ordered the apartment closed and forbade its use until it has been rewired.
Mrs. Peterson, mother of a boy Ralph Edward, 10, and a girl Sharon, seven, died between 5:30 and 6 p.m. Friday. She was electrocuted while taking a bath, and failed to respond to artificial respiration given by her husband, Ralph, a Globe painter. Taken to Gila General Hospital, surgeons opened the woman's chest in a vain attempt to revive her by massaging her heart.
Shute said Mrs. Peterson's husband gave this account of the tragedy:
Peterson had returned home from work and had taken a bath. After he finished bathing, his wife got into the tub while Peterson was in the adjoining bedroom preparing to shave. He heard his wife cry out, dashed into the small bathroom and grabbed her. When he did, he received a jolt of electricity throwing him backwards against a door frame six feet away. Recovering, he returned to the tub, slipped his arms under his wife's arms, and dragged her from the tub. When she left the water, Peterson ceased feelnig the sock. Taking his wife into the bedroom, he began artificial respiration while sending for additional help.
Dr. Daniel J. Condon, Maricopa County medical examiner, was called to Globe by Shute to perform a postmortem Friday evening. His examination confirmed that Mrs. Peterson had "...died as the result of electric shock," and Shute said there would be no inquest.
According to Shute, a wire to a light switch terminal touched metal allowing current to flow into water taps in the bath tub and sink of the Peterson apartment when the light was turned on.
The Globe ex-officio coroner said Mrs. Peterson's husband told him his wife was sitting in the tub with her back to the faucets. "Evidently," said Shute said, "she leaned back against the faucets as was electrocuted. Burns on her back corresponded with the position of the faucets."
Mrs. Peterson was born April 5, 1921, in Menominee, Mich., and had lived in Globe for five years.
Survivors in addition to her husband, son and daughter, are her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Heider, Menominee, and four brothers out of state.
Mrs. Peterson's body was shipped to Menominee for burial under the direction of Walker's Globe Mortuary.
(Courtesy Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum, Miami, AZ)
Gravesite Details
Date of Burial 10/18/1956
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
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