Knud Johnson

JOHNSON

Posted By: Constance, IAGenWeb Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/23/2019 at 23:26:28

The West Union Gazette
West Union, Fayette Co., Iowa
Wednesday, July 24, 1874
Page 3 column five

--A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT.

Wednesday afternoon a terrible accident occurred on the farm of Knud Johnson, in Dover township, directly north of the river and adjoining Mr. Paulson's farm. A little daughter of Mr. Johnson, only five years old, was in the field where oats were being cut with a reaper. She had wandered into the oats unobserved, and before the driver was aware she was directly in front of the sickle. Both legs were severed just below the knee. Dr. Lewis, of Clermont, was called immediately, and about midnight Dr. Armstrong was sent for. They found the bones so badly fractured that there was no chance for amputation below the knees, and as an amputation now would be almost sure to result in death, the surgeons deemed it best to do no more than make the little one as comfortable as possible at present. It is probable that death will soon come to the relief of the little girl; and who can say it would not be better so than to be a poor cripple for a life-time?

We get the above particulars direct from Dr. Armstrong.