Hahne, Sarah DeFrance (1855-1913)

HAHNE, DEFRANCE, SAMPSON

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 11/4/2023 at 13:46:36

Daily Freeman Tribune
Webster City, Iowa
Saturday, February 1, 1913

MRS. WILLIAM HAHNE IN FATAL RAILROAD ACCIDENT!

Prominent Webster City Lady Struck by Northwestern Passenger and Dies a Few Hours Later

OCCURS ON STREET CROSSING

Returning Home From Call At Parents Home - Community Terribly Shocked

Mrs. Wm. Hahne, wife of one of the city's well known shoe dealers, met with a tragic accident last evening while crossing the Chicago and Northwestern railroad track on East First street, when she was struck by the evening northbound passenger train and died a short time afterward. Although it is not positively known, it is thought that Mrs. Hahne was wearing a shawl about her head and did not see or hear the on coming train. The accident occurred at about 9 o'clock, the train from the south due at 8:40 being late. Mr. and Mrs. Hahne reside at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Samuel Sampson, on First street just west of the railroad crossing. Early in the evening Mrs. Hahne had been to the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. D.C. DeFrance, who reside just east of the same crossing. After vising there during the evening, Mrs. Hahne started home and later was found lying at the side of the railroad track.

It seems that the engineer on the locomotive did not see the lady when she attempted to cross the track and knew nothing of the awful occurrence. However, when he arrived at the depot, he discovered a lady's shawl caught on the front of the engine and fearing an accident, abandoned his cab and walked back to the Second street crossing. Failing to find anything out of the ordinary, he returned to the depot and telephoned Mr. Sampson, who is employed as section foreman by the railroad company. He told Mr. Sampson of the presence of the shawl, suggesting an accident, and instructed him to walk along the track and see if he could find anything wrong. Upon receiving the message Mr. Sampson told the facts to Mr. Hahne and together they started out. They had just reached the First street crossing when their attention was attracted by a moaning sound coming a short distance from the track. They hurried to the spot and found Mrs. Hahne lying in the road in a semi-conscious condition. R.H. Ash, who resides close by, had also heard the sound and arrived on the scene at about the same time as the other two gentlemen. Together they carried Mrs. Hahne to the Sampson home and called a physician. A brief examination was made and the injured woman was taken to Mercy hospital. Here it was found that she was terribly mangled by the accident and she died from her injuries at an early hour this morning.

From the time she was found beside the railroad track until she passed away, Mrs. Hahne was partially conscious, talking to and recognizing relatives but seemed to be completely mystified as to how she had been injured. Several times she inquired what was the matter. Mrs. Hahne lingered between life and death until three o'clock this morning, when she passed away.

The tragic end of this highly respected and well known woman is mourned by the entire community and the family have the deepest sympathy of all in their great and sudden bereavement.

Besides her husband, Mrs. Hahne is survived by two sons - Fred and R.C. Hahne, and one daughter, Mrs. Samuel Sampson. All reside here. Mrs. Hahne was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D.C. DeFrance, pioneer residents of Hamilton county, and a sister of C.J. DeFrance, also of this city.

The funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

DAILY FREEMAN TRIBUNE, WEBSTER CITY, IOWA, Monday, February 3, 1913

The funeral of the late Mrs. Wm. Hahne will be held at the Christian church tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by the Rev. A.I. Martin. Mrs. Hahne was a prominent and honored member of this society.