Lynn H. Vestrem 1896-1938

VESTREM

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 8/31/2010 at 23:42:57

Lynn Vestrem Killed at Emmetsburg Last Monday

Lynn Vestrem, a popular employee of the Rock Island railway, died in a hospital at Emmetsburg Monday [March 7, 1938] evening from injuries received that afternoon by falling under a moving freight car in the yards at Emmetsburg.

No one having seen the accident and having no information in regard to the same, except as such was given by Mr. Vestrem in the few minutes he regained consciousness at the hospital, it is difficult to say just how the accident occurred.

From the information that can be obtained, a lone box car had been switched from the main line on to the house track. Mr. Vestrem, as the car approached reached for the steps at the side of the car. As he did so he slipped on the ice and fell. Apparently he grabbed some portion of the car for one arm was badly crushed and broken, one hand was partially amputated and both legs were broken. His chest was also crushed to some extent.

The remainder of the crew on the train switched back on the main line and some stranger from Bode called to them that there was a man under the box car, that they had just set out on the house track.

Mr. Vestrem was rushed to the Emmetsburg hospital by his fellow employees. They remained with him until his wife and parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Vestrem, arrived from Estherville.

Death resulted approximately four hours after the accident. Only once did the injured man regain consciousness and then only briefly.

Mr. Vestrem was born in Pocahontas on January 24, 1896 and moved to Estherville with his parents when he was a baby. He entered the railway service with the Rock Island in 1913. He was an efficient railway man and was respected by all who knew him, both in railway circles and elsewhere. By efficient service he was set up as a conductor on May 4, 1927. During the World War he volunteered his services and spent 22 months in France with the 13th Engineers.

He is survived by his wife and son, Donald, his parents, and eight sisters.

Funeral services were held today at 2 p.m. at the Church of Christ, Rev. Fred Sawyer officiating. Interment was in Oak Hill cemetery. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, March 10, 1938)