Smith Valley Man Crushed to Death In Hay Machinery

Funeral services were pending this week for Melvin Sayre, 
37, son of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Sayre of Smith Valley, who 
died last Thursday night when a hydraulic lift fell on 
him as he was loading hay.

Sayre, a lifelong resident of the area, was hauling hay 
on contract with an automatic hay loading machine.

He evidently had gotten underneath the loading elevator 
to make an adjustment when the heavy lift dropped on him.  
The accident occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m.

The body was found by the victim’s father, Andrew Sayre, 
early Friday morning.

Sayre lived with his parents, both of whom survive him on 
the family’s Smith Valley ranch.

Other survivors include a brother, Andrew Sayre, Jr., of 
Yerington, and two sisters, Geraldine Keeley of Smith 
Valley, and Eloise Kettenburg of Minden.

The Inyo Register
Bishop, Inyo County, California
Thursday, July 18, 1963 – Page nine

Transcribed by Denise S. Flynn