BRUNS, Katie 1902-1930

BRUNS, PETERSEN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 10/15/2012 at 20:06:14

Stout, Ia.--Mrs. John Bruns, about 30 years old, was gored to death by an infuriated bull which chased her into an oat field and killed her on the Bruns farm about two miles south of here, late Monday evening.

The animal apparently became maddened at the sight of the young woman as she was driving a herd of cows to the barn for the evening milking, jumped a fence and attacked the woman. It was nearly an hour after the accident occurred before she was missed and a search started.

The body was taken to Parkersburg to be prepared for burial. She is survived by her husband.

--The Aplington News (Aplington, Iowa), 25 June 1930

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Mrs. John Bruns Victim of Enraged Bull Last Monday

Funeral Services Being Held Today With Burial At Stout

Animal Drags Body 720 Feet In Field

No Eye Witness to Tragedy of 28-Year Old Woman on Bruns Farm

Funeral services for Mrs. John Bruns, 28 year old wife of John Bruns, who was killed by a bull on the farm 2 miles southwest of Stout Monday evening, will be held this afternoon at 1 o'clock.

The service at the farm house will be followed by the church service at the Reformed church of Stout with the Reverend Hayenga officiating. Burial will be in the Stout cemetery.

Friends of the family who were notified of the death and who are expected to be present are D. G. Gronewald of Sibley, Iowa; Henry and Cap Niemann of Clear Lake, S.D.; Jan D. Bruns of Renville, Minn.; and the Rev. M. Weeldreyer and Mrs. Gruessing of Clara City, Minn., and Rev. F. Reeverts of Lennox, So. Dak.

The tragedy occurred between 5 and 7 p.m. Monday evening after Mrs. Bruns had taken lunch to her husband in the field. Her 2 year old daughter, Katherine, who survives with Mr. Bruns was left with her father when Mrs. Bruns returned to the barn to do the chores.

She had driven the cows to the enclosure north of the barn, when, it is believed the enraged bull attacked her. Two broken strips of barbed wire in the fence on the west of the enclosure attests to the power with which the bull leaped for the victim. The trail that the bull took, all the time shoving the body along, is plainly seen from the fence to the oat field where the body was found later by Mr. Bruns and J. J. Meyer, neighbor farmer.

Just how the attack was made, whether Mrs. Bruns was in the enclosure with the cattle, or whether the bull charged at her on the other side of the fence is unknown as there were no eye witnesses. Mrs. Henry Dilger, neighbor to the north, thought she heard screams at supper time, but paid no attention as she thought it was a little boy playing outside.

When Mr. Bruns had finished his field work for the night he went to the house as usual, thinking that all the chores had been taken care of by his wife. Not finding her, he began the search that terminated out in the oat field after following the yard and a half wide track made by the bull and the body.

J. J. Meyer was the second person to arrive on the scene. He stepped off the path from the enclosure to the spot where the body lay, and it measured 720 feet. The oats were flattened as if a steam roller had been at work. Bits of clothing were found every few steps. Except for a bit around her neck, a stocking and a shoe there was nothing on the body when found.

Coroner Coffman of Grundy was called and found that death was caused by injuries suffered from being rolled to death by the bull. No inquest will be held.

The bull was shipped away Tuesday morning instead of shot, as there was no evidence of madness afterwards. In fact the bull was described as being gentle, since the 2 year old girl played with it at times.

Obituary
Mrs. John Bruns, nee Katie Petersen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Petersen of Stout, was born May 1, 1902, in Beaver township, Grundy county, Iowa. Her entire life was spent in that community. On Dec. 1, 1926, she was united in marriage to John Bruns. To this union was born one daughter, Katherine Grace.

Mrs. Bruns was known for her quiet, unassuming, modest disposition, and a regular attendant at the church services.

She leaves her husband and one daughter, her parents, three sisters, Mrs. Henry VanEllen, Mrs. Fred Bruns and Ella at home.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 26 June 1930, pg 1