Adolphus M. "Adolph" Halverson 1872-1898

HALVERSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/11/2013 at 00:45:59

Adolph Halverson, who was killed at Sioux City last week, when Sells & Forpaugh’s circus tent collapsed was a son of H.W. Halverson of Graettinger. The Sioux City Journal says: “Adolph Halverson, of 2313 Eleventh street, and employe of the Cudahy Packing company, and a son of Mr. and Mrs. H.W. Halverson, of Graettinger, Ia., one of those to lose his life by last night’s accident, was sitting near the reserved seat section and when the collapse of the tent occurred he jumped from his seat and started to escape under the south side of the tent. As he was running, a heavy quarter pole struck him down to the earth, and when he was found a few minutes later by Detective Ed Brott, the pole was lying across his head, and his breast and stomach were bleeding from internal injuries. It appeared that he had also been trampled on. Brott quickly received assistance, and the young man was carried to the home of Sylvester C. Kitlinger, at 811 Fourth street. The ambulance, a few minutes later, conveyed him to the station, where he died ten minutes later, before a physician could be secured. Death resulted from the blow on the head and the internal hemorrhages. The unfortunate young man expired without regaining consciousness and on his face there were no signs of pain. As a matter of fact he was dying when lifted from the ambulance. S.H. Mattson, manager of the Estherville Fence company, was one of the first men to view the face of the dead young man, after the body had been removed from the police station to Westcott’s morgue. He identified the remains. He said, “I have known him since he was a child; he came from a good family and was an honorable, upright young man.” (Emmet County Republican, Estherville, IA, June 30, 1898)

The Graettinger Times adds: The body was brought here on Sunday evening and interred in the High Lake cemetery Monday. The entire community sympathizes with them.

Wind Wrecks a Show Tent
One Man Killed and Many Injured at Sioux City, Iowa
At Sioux City, Iowa, Forepaugh & Sells Bros. circus tent was blown down during the performance Friday night. Adolph Halverson was killed and twenty or thirty persons injured. As the tent lifted and the poles began to fall the spectators rushed for the entrance. The fall of the canvas stopped the panic. A stampede of horses threatened great damage, but was finally checked. The wild animals were in their cages ready for shipment and none escaped. The loss to the circus people was heavy. (Sumner Gazette, Sumner, IA, July 7, 1898)