PILOT KNOB
Missouri Lookouts - Stone County - Mark Twain National Forest
December 14, 1939: "Jess Peterson, a former deputy Sheriff of Staone county, who has been ranger in charge of the U.S. Forestry service look-out tower southeast of Viola in Stone county since the tower was erected three years ago, fell from the top of the 99-foot tower Saturday, Dec. 9, and was instantly killed.
Peterson was 48 years old.
Saturday morning he had told his wife he was not feeling well. Later he went to the tower to go on duty. His report was due at the Shell Knob CCC Forest Camp at 9 o'clock. Awhile after 9 o'clock an official at the Shell Knob camp drove to the tower to see what the trouble was and found Peterson's limp body at the foot of the tower.
Peterson was a world war veteran.
The fall broke Peterson's neck, his jaw, and both legs.
It is believed that Peterson suffered a fainting spell when he climbed the steps to the top of the tower to go on duty." (Cassville Republican)
Peterson was 48 years old.
Saturday morning he had told his wife he was not feeling well. Later he went to the tower to go on duty. His report was due at the Shell Knob CCC Forest Camp at 9 o'clock. Awhile after 9 o'clock an official at the Shell Knob camp drove to the tower to see what the trouble was and found Peterson's limp body at the foot of the tower.
Peterson was a world war veteran.
The fall broke Peterson's neck, his jaw, and both legs.
It is believed that Peterson suffered a fainting spell when he climbed the steps to the top of the tower to go on duty." (Cassville Republican)