Wells, William 1872 - 1905

WELLS

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 6/5/2021 at 20:07:22

Elkader Register, Thur., 15 June 1905. North McGregor column.

William Wells was born Oct. 10th, 1872, and died June 8th, 1905. The deceased was born at this place and has spent his entire life here, consequently it was with sorrow that the news of his accidental drowning was heard early Friday morning. His boat, drifting, was discovered early Friday morning by boys going across the river to Prairie du Chien, and the alarm given. Searching parties were immediately organized and all day the search for the body was kept up, until about 4:30, when it was found, and brought to the home. Coroner J. W. Beerman, of Guttenberg, was notified and arrived on No. 1 at 1:20 a.m. A coroner's jury was immediately impaneled for the inquest, consisting of the following men: Robert Edgar, Robert Trewin and J. E. Hart. They returned a verdict of accidental drowning. The deceased was the eldest son of Geo. D. and Fannie Wells, and Will always had a good word and a cheery greeting for everyone. He had been a member of the fire company ever since its organization, and there never was a call that he did not respond to, and no place too dangerous for him to take the lead. The services were conducted by Rev. V. E. Hall, assisted by Prof. F. A. Beyl. At the house short services were held, as the mother was completely prostrated by the sad blow and was unable to attend the services. At the church Prof. Beyl read the 91st Psalm, made an excellent prayer and gave a five minute talk on the greatest of all gifts "Charity." Then Rev. Hall read the 90th Psalm and took for his text the 12th verse. From it he preached a grand sermon to the living. Many floral tributes, among them a ladder with a broken rung from the fire department and friends, were on the casket. The remains were interred in the Pleasant Ridge cemetery.