HEMPEN, Claus c1882-1914

HEMPEN, AHRENHOLZ, BLAKE

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 8/26/2018 at 19:16:38

MOTORCYCLE RIDER KILLED

Machine Carrying Two Men
Collides With Train at Waterloo

Waterloo, Aug. 14 – Claus Hempen, about 32 years of age, from Stout, Iowa, was instantly killed yesterday in an accident at the Chicago Great Western crossing on Falls Avenue when he fell from a motorcycle driven by Oscar Ahrenholz and collided with train No. 4, due in Waterloo a few minutes later. Ahrenholz also resides in Stout.

Ahrenholz and Hempen were riding on Falls Avenue, the latter occupying a position in the basket of the machine. Just as the driver of the machine was putting on more power to ascend the hill by the Great Western crossing Ahrenholz heard the train approaching. Quick as a flash he swerved his machine to the left and a second later Hempen jumped out.

The engine hauling No. 4 passed by, crushing the unfortunate man’s head before his companion could reach his side. Engineer H. W. Blake was in charge of the train.

Ahrenholz, the driver of the motorcycle, stated they were in route to Minnesota at the time of the accident. They decided to drive to Waterloo by motorcycle and take the train here for the north. Ahrenholz was slightly injured, suffering a sprained leg.

The dead man was a thresher by occupation. He was unmarried.

SOURCE: Evening Times-Republican, Friday, Aug 14, 1914, Marshalltown, IA, Page: 4