William "Willie" Andrew Tuttle 1905-1923

TUTTLE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/3/2011 at 19:58:03

Circle Saw Takes Life of Willie Tuttle
Met With Horrible Accident Monday Evening
Seventeen Year Old Boy
Was Assisting in Sawing Wood at the Home of His Parents When Accident Occurred
A fatal accident occurred at the D. T. Tuttle home on south Tenth street Monday evening about eight o’clock when their son, William, was struck by a saw blade and died within a few hours. A group of boys were assisting Mr. Tuttle in sawing some railroad ties and were using a motor saw for the purpose. The saw was not fastened securely to the frame and while it was going around at a very high rate of speed the saw blade which was shaped like a discus flew off and struck William on the forehead, cutting his head open clear to the brain. Dr. Morton was summoned and after dressing the wound rushed the boy to the Coleman Hospital where he died at eleven-thirty.

William Andrew Tuttle, more commonly known as “Willie” to his friends, was born in Estherville October 6, 1905, and died at the Coleman Hospital October 22, 1923. He was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. D. T. Tuttle of this city. He attended the public schools being a member of the eighth grade. He was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Sunday school. Funeral services will be held from the Methodist church on Thursday afternoon of this week at two o’clock Rev. R. T. Chipperfield officiating. Besides his father and mother the deceased is survived by two brothers and two sisters, all younger than he. This is a sad accident and Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle have the sincere sympathy of the entire community. William was one of the brightest boys in the eighth grade at the high school and respected by every pupil in the school. As a token of esteem in which he was held some one suggested that each pupil bring five cents this morning as a fund with which to buy flowers for the funeral and it is said the floral offering at the funeral tomorrow will be beautiful. It is a fine tribute to William by his everyday playmates. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, October 24, 1923)

Ten Years ago - The 17 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Tuttle was accidentally killed Monday afternoon when the saw with which he was cutting wood about severed the top of his head. In some manner the belt slipped and caught on the saw frame and tilted it upward and against the boy. He lived for about an hour after the accident. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, October 26, 1933)