Edward F. Donahue 1867-1910

DONAHUE, BROWN

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/19/2011 at 17:48:05

Ed. Donahue Electrocuted
Comes in Contact With Life Wires While Working on Post Office Building
Was Instantly Killed
Funeral Will Be Held Thursday and Body Taken to Emmetsburg for Burial
Edward E. Donahue met a frightful death at 11:30 o’clock Tuesday forenoon while endeavoring to put a wire cable over the electric wires running past the government building.

He was at work on the building and a boom derrick was being erected for use in raising the large granite blocks and iron girders. Wire cables were to be used to hold the derrick in place and it was one of these that Mr. Donahue was trying to get in place and fasten to the anchor post. To do this it was necessary to get the cable over the electric light wires and in attempting to do this Mr. Donahue met his death. He had climbed to near the top of the electric light pole and was pulling over a rope to which was attached the guy cable. In doing this he reached through the electric light wires and came in contact with two from which the insulation was off. Twenty-two hundred volts passed through his body and life was extinct in an instant. The life wires came in contact with his right arm above the elbow and left shoulder and burned the flesh to a crisp and to the bone. For just an instant the body dangled across the wires and then fell with a sickening thud striking the heavy iron girders that were leaning against the electric light pole and then fell over to the cement walk. Dr. Anderson and Engstrom were called but there was no help. Ed. Donahue was dead. Coroner Wilson examined the body and from what he could learn did not consider an inquest necessary. The body was removed to the H.C. Brees undertaking establishment and from there to the residence of the aged mother on North Ninth street.

Funeral is to be held at Emmetsburg Thursday afternoon and the body laid to rest in the family lot in the Catholic cemetery at that place.

The victim of the frightful accident was born on a homestead in Jack Creek township in Emmet county, November 12, 1867. He has always made this county his home and has always been an honest, hard working man and a good citizen. He is survived by an aged mother and two sisters, Mrs. Otto Brown and Miss Mary Donahue, all of this city. They have the heartfelt sympathy of hosts of friends in their deep affliction. (Estherville Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, September 21, 1910)

Very Sad Accident
Ed. Donahue Was Killed Yesterday Morning at 11:20
Touched Electric Light Wires
Shock from Electric Current Caused Death While on Top of Electric Light Pole
Ed. Donahue was killed yesterday morning at 11:30 by an electric shock while on the pole directly in front of the new post office building. He went up near the top of the electric light pole to through a guide rope over the electric wire. Somehow he got between two of the large wires carrying the day current, and his right arm touched one wire and his left shoulder touched the other. This produced a short circuit and the electricity passed through his body. A large noise and flash followed and Mr. Donahue stiffened out and fell, striking his head and shoulders on a large steel beam in falling. Medical assistance was secured at once and everything possible done. He died in about ten minutes after falling. The wires burned into his left shoulder to the bone, and into his right arm to the bone. The accident was witnessed by a large number of workmen and people around the new post office building. It was a sad sight and sad death.

The funeral service will be held tomorrow at Emmetsburg and burial made in Emmetsburg cemetery in the Donahue family lot. Tomorrow morning at 8:30 in the local catholic church there will be mass. The remains will be taken to Emmetsburg on the 10 o’clock train.

The Donahue family settled on the Donahue farm southeast of Estherville about 1860. There Ed. Donahue was born about 43 years ago. He has spent his entire life in this county. Mr. Ed Donahue, the father, died about 30 years ago. The Donahue family moved to Estherville about 1894 and have since resided in this city. Ed never married and lived with his mother, and sister, Miss Mary, until death called him.

Besides his mother and sister, Miss Mary, he leaves another sister, Mrs. Otto Brown to mourn his death.

The Enterprise joins in extending sympathy to the relatives and friends in their sorrow. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, September 21, 1910)

Mrs. Ann Donahue has been appointed administratix of the estate of the late Ed. F. Donahue. The estate invoices about $6,000. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, September 28, 1910)