Hasler, Jacob and Severin died 1878

HASLER

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 4/8/2018 at 09:44:20

Elkader Register, Thur., 7 Mar. 1878.

Between three and four o'clock on Monday afternoon a terrible crash was heard in the vicinity of the Schmidt Bro.'s Brewery, where workmen were engaged in putting up a stone wall and laying the foundation for the new brewery. Over the archways, the entrance to the cellars, was the old stone wall, left standing after the burning of the brewery. It had been examined and though not deemed entirely safe, with the exception of one propt the workmen had not thought it necessary to take further precaution, though Mr. Schmidt had furnished a number of 18 foot joice for that express purpose. The attention of the workmen was called to the perilous position they were in, in case the wall would fall, and only a short time previous to the accident. The masons, Ned Donovan, Jerry Cassidy, Severin Hasler, and Henry Heckmaster, were at work on a plank scaffolding, laying an additional inner wall. They had reached a height of about eight or ten feet with the new wall, about even with the archway, while the old wall was in full as many feet above them. While thus engaged the old wall fell with a crash, bringing with it tons of earth, rock and mortor, burying Hasler and Cassidy beneath the rubbish; Dunovan made a leap in time to save himself from being struck by the tumbling mass; Heckmaster made a leap but did not escape injury; Cassidy tried to jump out of the way but was caught in the rolling mass, his legs pinioned by a heavy weight of rock and earth; Hasler was knocked square off the scaffold and was buried deep in the rubbish.

As soon as the alarm was given the citizens rallied at the scene of the disaster, and very soon the buried bodies were rescued and conveyed a safe distance from the rubbish. Dr. Chase was on hand and made hurried examination of the wounded, and dressed each in as good shape as was possible.

The examination proved that Ned Dunovan had fortunately escaped with only a few bruises and scratches. He is out and around, apparently all right.

Henry Heckmaster received two or three scalp and face wounds. He is pretty sore from the effects of the shock but is doing nicely and will soon be himself again.

Jerry Cassidy was badly cut up and bruised about the face and head and has one or two slight injuries on the back. He is at home in Boardman Grove, and if not injured internally, he will soon recover, though he will forever wear the marks of this miraculous escape from death.

Severin Hasler received the full force of the crash, and was terribly crushed and mangled by the falling mass. His thigh-bone was crushed, technically termed a compound comminuted fracture of the right femer; a finger of the left hand crushed, bones broken; Nose and upper lip cut through to the mouth. He was otherwise bruised and mangled about the limbs and feet, besides bruised on the body. He was conveyed to his home, where the last sad rites of the church were administered by Father Quigley. He died a 8:30 o'clock in the evening.

Severin Hasler was born in Schollenberg, Germany, August 15th, 1838, came to Clayton county 12 years ago, following the vocation of laborer and mason.

(Note: At this point the rest of this paragraph and the remainder of this newspaper column is missing. The article continues at the top of the next newspaper column.)

the burial place where the remains of the two Haslers will be deposited, side by side. In life united and faithful brothers, respected and admired for their many noble qualities, parted but for a few hours, now reunited in glory. Jacob was about 35 years of age.

Note: Evidently the injuries received by and the resulting death of Jacob Hasler is contained in that part of the article that is missing. WPA records indicate Jacob Hasler, 1835 - 06 Mar. 1878, buried in St. Joseph cemetery, at Elkader.)