Daniel T. "Dan" Tuttle 1875-1937

TUTTLE, NORELL, CARPENTER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/3/2011 at 20:11:22

Dan Tuttle Killed Instantly Saturday In Dynamite Blast
Daniel Tuttle was killed last Friday [March 5, 1937] morning when a charge of dynamite exploded in his lap, blowing the lower half of his body into bits.

Mr. Tuttle was drilling a well on the Pat Sullivan “Shamrock” farm occupied by H. W. Dammann. On Thursday afternoon he had placed a charge in the well, which failed to explode.
He purchased eight sticks of dynamite Friday morning and drove to the farm about eight-thirty. He had driven his son’s car and was evidently sitting in the rear seat preparing the explosive charge. There were 6 sticks in the charge, as two were found in the pocket of the car, unexploded.

He had a hot spot battery and from appearances the switch was on. It will never be known what caused the explosion, but those who handle explosives seem of the opinion that a contact was made when the wires were attached to the cap.

Explosives in Lap
Owing to the fact that a charge of dynamite travels downward, it is certain that the charge was being held in his lap and further his helper and Mr. Dammann, who were coming toward the car, say he was sitting in the car preparing the charge.
We have known Mr. Tuttle for about fifty years. He has drilled wells in this county since a boy. He has operated a threshing crew here and he has always had the reputation of being very careful in his work and especially careful in the handling of explosives.
The car was blown to pieces. The top was blown into the air many feet and the sides were bulged and the bottom blown out.

When Mr. Dammann and the man helper of Mr. Tuttle reached the car Mr. Tuttle was dead.
Coroner Sternborg was notified but no inquest was necessary.
The funeral services were held on Sunday afternoon at the Methodist Church, with the Rev. F. W. Ortmeyer officiating. Interment was made in oak Hill cemetery.

Fifty Year Residence
“Dan” Tuttle, as he has been known to his friends for years, was sixty-two years of age. He came to this country 61 years ago from Norway, Iowa, with his parents. He was reared in this community and was always the same, day in and day out. He was just a genial good fellow who always had a smile for everyone and a pleasant disposition that never seemed to be disturbed.
He is survived by his widow, two sons and two daughters. One son was killed some years ago when the top of his head was cut off when a wood buzz saw broke.

The sons, Earl and Bert, both reside in Estherville. One daughter, Mrs. R. Norell also is a resident here. The other daughter, Mrs. Marian Carpenter resides in Boone. He is also survived by four brothers and sisters. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, March 11, 1937)

Brother Laurens Man is Blown to Bits, Explosion
Dan Tuttle, 68 year old Estherville well driller and brother of George Tuttle of Laurens, was killed on a farm near Estherville Friday of last week when two sticks of dynamite exploded in the back seat of a car in which he was sitting.

Tuttle was inserting caps on the dynamite sticks preparatory to blasting a well on the H. W. Damman farm when the accident occurred. No inquest was held, the coroner pronouncing the death accidental.

The explosion mutilated Tuttle’s body and blew off the top and doors of the car. Pieces of clothing and bits of the car were scattered over the barnyard. (Laurens Sun, Laurens, IA march 11, 1937)