HAWKS, Egbert 1839-1908

HAWKS, COLEMAN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 6/16/2009 at 11:51:15

MEETS SUDDEN DEATH.

The following account of the death of Egbert Hawks is taken from the Fontanelle Observer and is published by request:

Mr. Egbert Hawks was kicked by a horse in the Cue & Carver barn at 5 o'clock Sunday evening, and sustained injuries from which he died a little alter 1 o'clock Monday morning.

Mr. Hawks went into the stall with a measure of corn to feed a team belonging to Billy Diers, when one of them kicked, striking him on the leg with one foot and on the right breast with the other. His son, Evrid A. Hawks, John Jones and Billy Diers were present and immediately carried him to his home. Dr. [illegible] was called and found that two ribs were broken, while the patient complained of severe pain in his head He was knocked about eight feet and it is believed that his head struck the beam of a stall, causing hemorrhage. He grew gradually worse, and lapsed into unconsciousness and the sleep of death about an hour after midnight.

The horse that inflicted the injury was one of a team that has been kept much at the barn and was in no wise vicious. It seems more than likely that it was surprised into action.

Mr. Hawks has been employed for six years in the barn, and probably took some chances that one less familiar with the work would not take. He was a peculiarly faithful man in his position, where he was in full charge and received all money that came in from the business, and deposited it at his convenience without question or futher accounting.

Mr. Hawks was an honorable and respected citizen, and had served in the Union army with fidelity and that patriotic devotion which the great sacrifice demanded. He will be sincerely mourned by a large number of friends and acquaintances who held him in high esteem.

Egbert Hawks was born on September 30, 1839, in Steuben County, N. Y., and died Aug. 2, 1908, aged 68 years, 10 months and three days. He was married Nov. 4, 1865, to Samantha Coleman, of Marble Rock, Floyd county, Iowa, who survives him. To this union were born two sons, one of whom survives, Evrid Hawks, of Fontanelle.

In 1861 he enlisted in Co. B., 7th Iowa Infantry, at Marble Rock, serving his country well until his discharge at the close of the war. He participated in several battles and skirmishes, marching with Sherman to the sea.

[Marble Rock Journal -- Wednesday, August 26, 1908]

NOTE: Fontanelle is in Adair county, Iowa, in the southwest part of the state.