Segurd Christianson of Rolla had the misfortune to sever the thumb of the left hand at the first joint while attempting to chop a piece of wood with a hatchet. He held the piece of wood against a building with the left hand and struck it with the hatchet, but in some manner the hatchet slipped in descending and came in contact with the thumb, which was parted nearly at the first joint, leaving but a small piece of skin holding it to the other part of the member.

Ward County Independent, 3/23/1916