Haas, John 1875 - 1916

HAAS, BENTS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/22/2024 at 16:07:21

Cresco Plain Dealer Aug. 25, 1916 P-1 C-4

Drowning Accident Affects Cresco Family.
The Sioux Falls, (S. D.) Argus-Leader prints the following account of the drowning on Sunday, Aug. 13th, of a son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Bents, of Cresco:
“A shocking accident occurred Sunday afternoon when John Haas, one of the best known conductors on the Milwaukee railroad, met his death in the waters at Wall Lake.
Mr. Haas was entertaining several small nephews, and decided yesterday to take them out to Wall Lake to bathe. Accompanied by Mrs. Haas and her mother, Mrs. E. H. Bents, of Cresco, Ia., who arrived Saturday evening, and several fellow trainmen, the party arrived at the bathing beach about five o’clock. In spite of the fact that the water was rather chilly, Mr. Haas and his nephews were soon in the water. He was apparently in the best of health, and had been playing with the children for some time, staying fairly close to the shore in not more than fo{u}r or five feet of water.
“In a few minutes he was seen to be apparently floating on the surface of the water, and Mrs. Haas became frightened and gave the alarm. He was at once brought to the shore, where Dr. E. A. Archer administered heroic treatment, but without being able to awaken any sign of life.
A pulmotor was secured but it proved fruitless, and the physician was of the opinion that death might be due to heart failure.
“John Haas was born on the 3rd of September, 1875, in Minnesota. On June 1, 1907, he was married to Miss Beulah S. Bents at Armour, S. D., and the young couple went to live at Sioux City. He had been a brakeman on the Milwaukee road since July 25, 1897, and was promoted to be conductor on September 9, 1901. About five years ago he was transferred to Sioux Falls, and he and Mrs. Haas have since that time made their home in this city. He was a member of the Elks and the Moose, and of the Order of Railway Conductors, and was well loved by all with whom he came in contact.”
Mrs. Haas will return to Cresco with Mrs. Bents in the course of a few weeks.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD.