BAUSMAN, Lee 1890-1919

BAUSMAN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 9/4/2012 at 12:37:00

Lee Bausman and Henry Harms Die Of Injuries

Their Auto Struck by Milwaukee Train Near Lyle, Minn., Last Thursday

Both Passed Away At Hospital

Accident a Most Deplorable One and Brings Sadness to Many Homes in County

Early last week Henry Harms, of Wellsburg, drove to Minnesota to look after the renting of his farm near Austin, and Lee Bausman accompanied him. The next heard from them was late Thursday afternoon when word came that the car in which they were riding was struck by a Milwaukee fast train about a mile and a half north of the town of Lyle, Minn., and that Henry Harms was dead and Lee Bausman seriously injured.

The accident happened about 12:30 Thursday noon. They were riding in a Ford car owned and driven by Mr. Harms. The railroad is a double track and runs parallel with the wagon road for some distance and within two miles the wagon road crosses the tracks three times. It was at one of these crossings that their auto was struck just back of the front wheels. The train crew did not know that they had hit anyone until they reached Lyle, when a fender of the car was found hanging to the cow-catcher of the engine.

The men were discovered by a boy who reported the fact to his father and doctors were sent for. The injured men were taken to a hospital at Austin where Henry died at 3 o'clock and Lee passed away at 3:30, neither one regaining consciousness. Their identity was learned by a check book which Lee carried. This led to the telephone message which was received at the Bausman home in Pleasant Valley township at 3:10 and in a few minutes Mr. and Mrs. Bausman and son Lynn, were on their way to Austin. They arrived there about 8 o'clock, four hours after Lee had passed away.

When the unfortunate men were found Henry was grasping the steering wheel with both hands and one leg was broken and he was badly cut and bruised. Lee showed a slight mark on the temple, but his spine was injured. The doctors held out no hopes for Henry from the first, but it was thought by doctors and nurse that Lee might not be as seriously injured. He showed signs of rallying, when a sudden change came and he passed away.

Lee Lincoln Bausman was born August 27th, 1890, in Pleasant Valley township, Grundy County, Iowa, and passed to the Great Beyond at the St. Olaf Hospital, Austin, Minnesota, on November 20th, 1919, at the age of 29 years, 2 months and 23 days.

Lee lived in this vicinity all his life, except 15 months which time he was serving his country helping quell the great World War, serving 10 months in France in the 64th Machine Gun Company of the 7th Division.

He was under shell fire for 40 days and in the front line trenches 14 days and in position to shell Metz when the orders were flashed over sea and land that hostilities should cease.

Lee was an obedient son, a loving brother and a true friend beloved by all whom he came in contact with during his brief stay with us.

He leaves to mourn their loss his father, mother, six brothers, four sisters and one nephew besides other relatives and friends.

Both bodies were brought to their respective homes for funeral and burial.

The funeral of Lee Bausman was held from the Evangelical church in Pleasant Valley, Monday at 2 o'clock, Rev. Kramer, the pastor, assisted by Rev. Curry, of Grundy Center, officiating. Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Willoughby, Mrs. W. D. Wilson and Mr. G. C. Pettit of this city, sang two beautiful selections at the church and a choir from Aplington sang at the house and one song at the church. Interment was in the Pleasant Valley cemetery.

The funeral was one of the largest ever held in the county, people coming from far and near to pay their last respects to the departed. Soldier boys in khaki attended in a body and acted as pallbearers and as the casket was lowered even with the ground the bugle was blown and the sprig of myrtle was laid on the casket as the soldier boys bid "good-bye comrade."

The W.R.C. of Grundy Center laid a flag across the dead boy's breast to which was pinned the following verse:
"Life's labor done;
Life's blessings all enjoyed,
Serenely to their final rest they passed,
While the soft memory of their virtues yet linger,
Like twilight hues when the bright sun is set,
It is not death to close
The eyes long dimmed with tears
And wake in glorious repose
To spend eternal years
To live in hearts we've left behind, Is not to die."

All of the immediate family were present at the funeral except a brother, Bryan, of New Hartford, who is sick with smallpox. An uncle, Louie Bausman, of Rochester, Minn., and an aunt, Mrs. Nie Bausman and two daughters, from Scales Mound, Ill., were those present from a distance.

Lee Bausman was one of the finest young men we ever knew. Of splendid character and clean reputation his seemingly untimely death has brought sorrow to the entire community. His was the first death in this most estimable and widely known Pleasant Valley family.

--The Grundy Republican (Grundy Center, Iowa), 27 November 1919, pg 1