WETLAUFER, Guy E. 1879-1890

WETLAUFER

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 12/16/2010 at 14:49:49

The Courier
Waterloo, Iowa
3 Sep 1890
Page 5

Sad Accident. -- About 11 o'clock last Saturday forenoon, Guy E. Wetlaufer, the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Wetlaufer, formerly of this county, was suffocated in a bin of oats on the farm of Gov. Boies, two miles south of Grundy Center. Mr. Wetlaufer has been the foreman of the Boies farm for the past five years. Guy was 11 years and 7 months old and had been assisting in running the grain elevator on the farm this season. Last Saturday he was not at work but was playing with other children in the elevator. He was on the second floor and for some reason got into an oats bin containing about 500 bushels of oats. As he got into it the chute was opened to draw the oats onto the lower floor. In an instant he realized that the suction would take him under the oats and he told a little girl to go and get help. She went to some threshers who were at work near by, but was so badly frightened that she could not make them understand. She then ran to the house and told Mrs. Wetlaufer and she ran out and the men then realized that something had happened. When they reached the bin the boy's head was covered and one foot had been drawn into the spout. Twenty willing hands were at work in an instant to dig him out, but by the time they reached him life was gone. Two physicians were soon upon the ground but could do nothing to help him. The remains were brought to Waterloo on Saturday and the funeral services held at Grace church Sunday afternoon, the interment being in Elmwood. There was a large attendance at the funeral, the many friends of the bereaved parents thus showing their respect for them. Guy was born in this county near Cedar Falls. He was a good boy and was well thought of by every one. His loss is a terrible blow to the grief-stricken parents and in their affliction they have the sincere sympathy of all, Gov. Boies being especially touched with the trouble that has come to the family of his trusted foreman. Mr. and Mrs. Wetlaufer have two other sons, one 10 and the other 2 years old.