David O. "Dave" Frizzell 1871-1926

FRIZZELL, HODGE, HANSEN, HOTCHKISS, BILLINGS, NELSON, MEEKER, JONES, FLETCHER, KETCHUM, WELD

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 3/11/2011 at 00:05:57

David O. Frizzell Killed
A deep gloom was cast over the community Monday when word reached here that Dave Frizzell had been instantly killed in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Frizzell had gone to Chicago last Saturday evening for a visit with relatives. Monday Mr. Frizzell went down town alone and it was while there that his sudden death occurred. He was run over by a two car South Shore train at the Sixtieth street station after he had fallen from the platform to the tracks. When the train pulled into the station Mr. Frizzell was standing back of the safety line in the platform. What happened between the time he was standing on the platform is not known but the next that is known he was seen falling to the tracks between the platform to the rear of the second car. Both his legs were cut off by the rear trucks of the second car. A coroner’s inquest was held but no witnesses were produced as no one seemed to know much about how it happened. It is the general belief however that he either suffered a dizzy spell or misjudged in stepping or leaning forward. The accident occurred at 10:18 Monday morning. Word was sent back to the Rock Island offices in this city and George Howe and Ed. Liddle were sent by the railroad company to assist in having the body brought back to this city. Mrs. Frizzell was at the home of her sister in Chicago and knew nothing of the accident until she received word from the Rock Island offices in this city.

David O. Frizzell was born in Illinois on November 8, 1871. When a young man he moved with his parents to Wright county, Iowa, settling at Clarion. In 1898 he came to Estherville to reside and has made his home in this city ever since. After receiving his education in the public schools he entered the railroad profession and continued to be employed with this company until his death. For the past twenty-three years he has been a conductor and was a familiar figure among the Rock Island people. Before coming to this city he was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Hodge. Two daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Frizzell. They are Mrs. Jennie Hotchkiss and Mrs. Inez Billings, both residing in California. Mrs. Frizzell passed away about five years ago. In May 1924 Mr. Frizzell was united in marriage with Miss Clara Hanson of this city, at Jackson, Minn. They continued to make their home in this city.

Mr. Frizzell was known to almost every person in this city and perhaps there is not a person living near here who had more friends than he. Ever ready and willing to help and assist someone else he found a way to the hearts of everyone. Always cheerful and having a smile for everyone he was a friend to old and young. In his home life he was an ideal father and husband and the best was none too good for his family. He was a faithful and conscientious employee and was always on the job. He never shirked nor entered into his duties with a half interest. Mr. Frizzell was an active member of the I.O.O.F., the B.P.O. Elks, and the O.R.C. These organizations always found him willing to give to the limit whenever called upon. The great gloom that was cast upon the people of Estherville when it was learned that Mr. Frizzell had met such a horrible death bespoke the high esteem in which he was held by everyone. Not only will he be missed from his home and work but his business associates and the people that he came in contact with each day will miss his cheery smile and happy greeting.

Arrangements or the funeral services have not been completed but they will be held under the auspices of the Odd Fellows lodge. It is thought that the funeral will take place on Sunday afternoon. The daughters and brothers and sisters of the deceased will arrive the latter part of the week and the body will be held in state until they arrive.

Besides the sorrowing wife and daughters the deceased is survived by six sisters and three brothers. They are Mrs. Chas. Nelson and Mrs. Joseph Meeker, of Clarion, Mrs. Chet Jones, of Spokane, Wash., Mrs. Dan Fletcher and Mrs. H. P. Ketchum, of Rowan, Iowa, Mrs. C. E. Weld, of Belmond, Iowa, Floyd Frizzell, of Manly, Iowa, G. E. Frizzell, of Clarion and R. A. Frizzell, of Marble Rock, Iowa. All are expected for the funeral with the exception of Mrs. Jones, of Spokane. A number of other relatives and a host of friends also mourn the sudden departure of Mr. Frizzell.

Words would fail to convey to the sorrowing relatives the sympathy of the great many friends of this family in their hours of sorrow and grief over the sudden taking away of [last line missing.] Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, October 27, 1926)

D. O. Frizzell is Killed By Train in Chicago
Fell Under Cars From Cars From Platform at I.C. Station
With Wife Had Gone to Chicago for Visit – Went Down Town Alone
David O. Frizzell, Rock Island conductor, was killed in Chicago at 10:20 Monday morning while on a visit to that city. Mr. Frizzell and his wife had gone to Chicago on Saturday evening and were visiting at the home of Mrs. Frizzell’s sister, Mrs. Frank Lakin at 6019 Kimbark Ave. Monday morning Mr. Frizzell went down town alone and was struck by a train at the Illinois Central 60th street station. Papers on him had only his Estherville address, and the message of his death was sent here. His brother-in-law, H. H. Hansen, was notified but Mrs. Frizzell knew nothing of her husband’s death until informed by a message from her brother. The message to the Rock Island division offices here read: “D.O. Frizzell was struck and killed by a north bound South Shore train at the Illinois Central 60th street station at 10:20 this morning.”

Mr. Frizzell was a man universally liked by his fellow employees of the Rock Island and the community as a whole. He was born at Hamon, Ill., November 8, 1872, and was therefore almost 54 years old at the time of his death. He had been in the service of the Rock Island for twenty-eight years, entering the employ of that railroad as a brakeman on Oct. 1, 1898. On March 19, 1903 he was promoted as a conductor.

Besides his wife to whom he was married three years ago, Mr. Frizzell leaves two daughters by a former marriage, Mrs. Fred Hotchkiss and Miss Inez Frizzell of Long Beach, California. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, October 17, 1926)

D. O. Frizzell Killed By Train in Chicago
Struck by Electric Cars on Sixtieth Street Monday
The entire community underwent a sudden and terrible shock last Monday morning when a message reached the Rock Island superintendent’s offices that Dave O. Frizzell had been killed by a train in Chicago.

Mr. and Mrs. Frizzell went to Chicago Saturday evening for a visit at the home of Mrs. Frizzell’s sister. On Monday morning Mr. Frizzell it is thought left for the city. At the station of east Sixtieth street there are several tracks passing between two platforms. These platforms are just high enough to be even with the steps of the electric cars that pass. They are close enough to the steps that it would seem hard to get a foot between the platform and the steps.

There is a two-car train that passes this platform at ten-fifteen and it was this through two-coach train that killed Mr. Frizzell.

At the inquest held in Chicago the motorman says he saw Mr. Frizzell standing close to the danger line as the cars approached. He says Mr. Frizzell was eating something probably an orange from the looks. As the motor car approached Mrs. Frizzell reached his head out. It was evident he was spitting a piece of the orange out of his mouth. While the motor man did not see the act, he is certain the car struck Mr. Frizzell in the head. The next he heard was when the body struck the side of the car. The two cars sped on probably for about two hundred feet and stopped. The remains were taken to an undertaking parlor about two blocks away. The parlors were only about two blocks from where the Frizzells were staying.

No one knew who Mr. Frizzell was. There was a key ring in his pocket with a Rock Island switch key on. There was also a key check with his name on and Estherville, Iowa. The authorities telephoned the Rock Island offices in Chicago. From there it was found who he was.

Herman Miller, assistant superintendent here then located Mrs. Frizzell’s brother, Henry Hansen and found out the address of Mrs. Frizzell in Chicago. Mr. Hansen then notified her of the accident.

Ed Little and Geo. Howe, conductors here, went immediately to Chicago to be present at the inquest and to return with the remains.

It is evident from the condition of the remains that the car struck Mr. Frizzell in the head, probably rolled him around and twisted him between the platform and the car. The remains were picked up on the track after the cars had gone over him.

The remains were brought to this city this morning. The funeral services will probably be held on Saturday as the two daughters who were in California, are returning to this city for the funeral.

Mr. Frizzell has lived in this city for many years. A number of years ago he built a fine home on Lincoln street where he has since resided. He is a well known and a greatly beloved man. Both in business circles and railway circles he is well and most favorably known. Almost everyone knew “Dave” as he was called and his friends are numbered by his acquaintances. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, October 27, 1926)