MAITLAND, Abner E. (1891-1927)

MAITLAND, PETERSON, CROOKS, GHIRT, ECKLUND, EDMUNSON, GEHAT

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 1/2/2019 at 11:44:50

Shirt Sleeve Rolled Up On Whirling Bar

Choked to Death by Collar Band

His sleeve caught in the revolving bar of a lathe at the Rockford Drilling Machine company, Abner Ernest Maitland, 36, 811 Kishwaukee street, was strangled to death at 1:30 o'clock this morning.

The lifeless body was found about one-half hour later by J. Northup, night watchman, who notified Coroner Fred C. Olson, the police department and E. C. Traner, secretary and treasurer of the company.

Maitland apparently had unscrewed the lathe guard rail and instead of walking around the bar, crawled beneath it, his shirt sleeve catching. Instantly the garment was rolled up and caused strangulation, the shirt being a new one and buttoned at the neck. Had the shirt been unbuttoned it is thought he would have escaped death.

Only Night Watchman

The victim was the only person employed at night with the exception of the watchman. Northup noticed that Maitland was not at his place behind the lathe when he made his rounds about 1:30, but thought he was somewhere about the building. When he failed to discover him any place else, he returned to the lathe and saw Maitland underneath the bar, dead. The body was cold, but bore no marks of violence. His spectacles were still on his face.

Abner Ernest Maitland was born at Goodell, Ia., 1891, and spent his boyhood in that state. His marriage to his wife, Mrs. Tilda Maitland, took place March 2, 1909, at Garner, Ia. He came to Rockford about two years ago and obtained employment at the Rockford Drilling Machine company, where he was known as an expert workman.

Inquest Held Today

Surviving, besides the widow and a son, Lawrence, 17, are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Maitland, Iowa Falls; two brothers, Thomas of Rockford and Matt of Parker's Prairie, Minn., and three sisters, Mrs. Ada Peterson, Storm Lake, Ia., Mrs. Laura Crooks, Des Moines, Ia., and Mrs. Emma Ghirt, Havlock, Ia. Mrs. C. J. Ecklund, 601 Catlin street, is a cousin.

Coroner Olson conducted an inquest today at 10 o'clock, the jury reporting accidental death.

source: jbscrapbook

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Abner Earnest Maitland, oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Maitland, was born April 16, 1891 at Goodell. He received his education and grew to manhood in this locality.

On March 2, 1909, he was married to Tilda Edmunson at Clear Lake. To this union, one son, Laurence, was born. He is still at home.

In 1912 they moved to Minnesota, where they lived a number of years. Two years ago they moved to Rockford, Ill., where he was employed at the time of his accidental death.

Besides his wife and son, he leaves his father and mother, and grandparents of Iowa Falls; three sisters, Mrs. John Peterson of Storm Lake; Mrs. H. L. Crooks of Ames; Mrs. Gehat of Havelock; and two brothers, Matt of Parkers Prairie, Minn. and Thomas, of Rockford, Ill., besides a host of relatives and friends. He was a loving and devoted husband and father, and was liked by all who knew him, and will be greatly missed by all. He was buried in the cemetery east of town.

source: jbscrapbook