ELMER LEROY SCHAVE 1906-1928

SCHAVE, ANDERSON, WEDO, OLSON

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 3/18/2005 at 14:21:36

Road Worker Injured in Fall While at Work Adjusting Guy Wires

Elmer Schave, 25, of Waukon, who was working with the Jones & Hiestand crew engaged in resurfacing No. 51 between Postville and Waukon with crushed rock, met with a sorry mishap last Friday evening about seven o'clock just as the night shift was getting ready to go on duty, when he fell head first from the dipper of the big power shovel a distance of about 15 feet and striking on solid rock with his head and shoulders.

As we hear it a guy wire attached to some of the machinery at the rock pit had gotten in too close proximity to some of the high voltage electric wires. In order to adjust this guy wire so that it might not be a source of danger to those working at the pit, Elmer climbed into the bucket of the gasoline operated shovel, used to load the trucks with crushed rock and had been hoisted up to begin his work, when from some unknown cause a latch that holds the bucket in an upright position became unloosed and the big bucket at once turned sidewise and pitched Elmer out head first, he falling a distance of 15 feet or more and landing on the hard rocky ground on the side of his head and shoulder with fearful force, rendering him unconscious.

The young man was brought to Postville Hospital by fellow workers and up until this writing (Wednesday) is still in a state of coma, though there are said to be indications that he is coming out of that state, as he opens his eyes occasionally and seems to be looking about.

The accident happened on the last night the graveling crew worked from this end of the project, as on Saturday and Sunday they moved to the quarry north of Forest Mills, from which point they will complete the resurfacing of 51 into Waukon. It is to hoped no more accidents may attend the road work in this vicinity and all hope Mr. Schave will in due season be restored to former health. - Postville Herald - contributed by Mary Durr

ELMER L. SCHAVE, INJURED IN FALL, DIES AT HOSPITAL

Elmer LeRoy Schave, who was seriously injured about two weeks ago in a fall while working with the graveling crew on No. 51, died in this city at 3:20 last Friday afternoon, aged 22 years, one month and five days.

He was the son of Mrs. Emma Anderson Schave and was born in Garnavillo, Iowa, September 7, 1906. He was an industrious and upright young man, well liked by all with whom he came in contact. The funeral was held from St. Paul's Lutheran church in this city on Monday afternoon, E. T. Finck conducting the service, and was largely attended. The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful. Interment in Centennial cemetery, near Castalia.

The Jones & Hiestand graveling crew, with whom the young man had been working when he received his fatal injuries, suspended operations at noon Monday and attended the funeral in a body.

-notes: Elmer's father was Louis Joseph Schave. Louis died January 4, 1928 at the age of 46 years old and is buried at Centennial Cemetery. Louis was the son of Henry and Minnie (Wedo) Schave. Elmer had a brother Clarence Raymond Schave and a sister Helen Marguerite Schave. Elmer's mother Emma (Anderson) Schave, daughter of Andrew and Hattie (Olson) Anderson, died March 7, 1961 and is buried at Centennial Cemetery also.

Postville Herald, 1928 - contributed by Mary Durr