Local resident loses arm in accident

By Tracy Farr
Editor, The Daily Spittoon

Seventy-two year old Mildred Young lost her arm this week while she was trying on dresses in Hank's Department Store. This is the third time this year Mrs. Young has lost her arm.

"I feel so foolish," Mrs. Young said. "I thought I learned my lesson last time, but obviously not."

When she was 23, Mrs. Young lost her left arm in a freak hunting accident and has been wearing a prosthetic ever since.

"You would think I would have noticed walking out of the store without my arm, but I didn't," she said. "And when I went back to look for it, it was gone."

The first time this year Mrs. Young lost her arm was on a fishing trip with her sons. Her arm came loose during a cast and flew out of the boat into the lake. It sank before anyone could get to it.

The second time she lost her arm was while eating Sunday lunch in the Stinky Creek Saloon. She returned and found it still propped up in the booth where she had been sitting.

"After that, I put it on my list of things to check before going somewhere," she said. "You know: do I have my keys, my gloves, my purse, my reading glasses; is my arm attached? I guess this time I got distracted by the lovely dresses at Hank's."

Hank Rogers, owner of the store, says he'll be on the lookout for the lost arm, but suspects somebody walked out of the store with it.

"Probably some teenaged girl walked away with it and now has it under her bed, showing it off to her friends," he said. "Before long, someone will squeal and the arm with show up."

Mrs. Young is offering a $20 reward for the safe return of her arm. If you have any information, call Sheriff Max Welter at his office.

"I feel like an idiot," Mrs. Young said. "I'm just thankful my head's attached."