GRAMLICH, Charles Robert 1898-1913

GRAMLICH, BEIGHLE

Posted By: Matt Peterson (email)
Date: 8/20/2009 at 14:04:55

Last Friday a son of George Gramlich on Lansing Ridge sought to shoot or capture a squirrel jumping around the trees near the Gramlich residence. He shot the squirrel which lodged in a crotch in the tree. He climbed up into the tree to extricate the animal and while in the act came in contact with the electric wire running through the tree, resulting in his death, one of his feet being burned to a crisp. Gramlich was about 15 years of age.

~newspaper clipping, unknown paper

~Notes: Charles Robert Gramlich, born 20 Jan 1898 and died 25 Oct 1913. Buried at Lansing Ridge Cemetery. His parents were George Conrad and Romina Wilhelmina Beighle Gramlich. He had many siblings; starting from oldest to youngest: William Earl, Elmer Harold, Selma, Julius, Frank, Irvin Fremont, Henry George, Daniel Emil, Elsie, Cora Mary, and Alice Francis.

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Added by Joy Moore 8/18/2020:

Source: Cresco Plain Dealer Oct. 31, 1913, P-FP, C-1,2

A fifteen year old boy named Charles Gramlich, living midway between Waukon and Lansing, met instant death, Friday, at 1:45 p. m., by coming into contact with the service line of the Upper Iowa Power Co. which supplies current to Lansing. The line which follows the main highway passes, [through a tree near the Gramlich home which is just east of the old blacksmith shop.

The boy had shot squirrel in the tree and it had lodged the branches. He climbed the tree to recover it and in doing so touched the wire with his instep and the heavy voltage killed him instantly, he was alone at the time and the current held his body fast.

The contact caused a sizzling noise which was heard by his folks and also attracted the attention of neighboring residents. It was then his lifeless body was observed in the tree. The wire holding him soon parted and destroyed the current where­upon the body was taken down.

Physicians were summoned but they were of no avail. Coroner J. C. Lewis was also called from here but upon enquiring into the facts of the tragedy he deemed no inquest necessary. The contact had destroyed all service of the company here in Waukon and em­ployes were in an auto ready to go in search of the trouble when apprised of the accident.

From all that is known the Power Co. is believed to be blameless. They have endeavored to acquaint everybody of the great danger that lies in the wires which traverse the country and that they must not be touched under any circumstances. The boy’s sad death should prove an everlasting warning to all to avoid any and all wires in the vicinity of the power lines. —Waukon Democrat.