Moniger, Jacob (1852-1914)

MONIGER, SMITH, MUNGER, BLISS, SCHUYLER, NELSON, BASELEY

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/1/2013 at 12:51:06

MET WITH AWFUL FATE

Jacob Moniger Horribly Burned and Dies in a Few Hours

Jacob Moniger, an employee at the Northwestern round house got his clothing caught on fire about two o'clock last Friday morning and was so badly burned that he died a few hours after the horrible accident occurred. Just how his clothing happened to catch on fire is not known, as he was alone at the time, and he was so badly burned and in such agony following the accident that a statement from him regarding it was not obtained.

He had been getting an engine ready to be fired up and had placed some wood and waste in the fire box. The cries of Mr. Moniger brought other employees on the night force to the scene and when they arrived his clothing was nearly burned off, the bucket of waste standing in the engine cab was on fire and the engine cab was also ablaze. A blanket was thrown over him and the fire about his body was smothered in this manner.

It is surmised that the bucket of waste caught afire from the torch he was carrying and in attempting to put this fire out his clothing was ignited. His clothing was more or less saturated with oil and before he could help himself the blaze had enveloped him from head to foot. The suffering man was taken to the Hawarden hospital where every effort was made to relieve his agony. He died about nine o'clock Friday morning.

The deceased was one of the oldest and best known residents of this city, having lived in this vicinity for over thirty-five years. He leaves a wife and seven daughters to mourn his unfortunate death.

Funeral services were held at the home at two o'clock Sunday afternoon, Rev. John Erb preaching the funeral sermon. The Woodmen of the World attended in a body and conducted the services at the grave.

Jacob Moniger was born in Pennsylvania on December 18, 1852. At the age of nine years he went to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he remained a number of years. He came to Calliope when he was about twenty-five of years and has resided in this vicinity ever since.

December 24, 1877, he was united in marriage to Susie Smith. Eight daughters and one son were born to this union. The son and one daughter preceded their father in death.

The children living are Mrs. O. V. Munger of DeSmet South Dakota, Mrs. J. O. Bliss of Wesfield, Iowa, Mrs. S. R. Schuyler of Huron, South Dakota, Mrs. H. D. Nelson of Eagle Grove, Iowa, Mrs. Hazel Baseley, and Misses Bernice and Lavon Moniger of Hawarden; also an adopted son Meyrl.

He was a charter member of Dewey Camp 261, W. O. W., and carried a policy for $1,000 in this benevolent fraternal order. The sympathy of everyone is extended to the bereaved family in their deep affliction.

Hawarden Independent
Thursday, July 30, 1914
Hawarden, Iowa