BURGER, Joseph S. (1863-1900)

BURGER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 11/12/2020 at 15:03:56

Joseph S. Burger
(April 13, 1863 – November 20, 1900)

Ida County Pioneer, Ida Grove, Iowa, Thurs., Nov 22, 1900, p.3
Obituary
Joe Burger was born in Minersville, Schuykill County, Pennsylvania, April 13th, 1863, where he passed his early childhood. October 19, 1881, he was married to Miss Fannie Vandyke at Lisbomb, Marshall County, Iowa. During his residence there their oldest daughter, Alta, was born November 20th, 1881. From there the family moved to Miller, South Dakota, where their second daughter, Della, was born September 26, 1888. During that year they moved to Ida Grove where they have since resided and have been a prominent part of our business and social life. Blessed with a genial nature, kind disposition and business integrity, Joe Burger has won an enviable position among his fellows. Enterprising to a remarkable degree, he was always ready to forward every laudable public enterprise and in his home was an ideal man. His fireside was his principal altar and his family circle the holy of holies. A devoted husband, an indulgent father and among every associate a true friend.
He was especially fond of outdoor sports, hunting, fishing, and all athletic sports were favorites and many are the friends who are indebted to him for assistance and cheerful companionship on excursions of this character. Joe’s society was sought because he entered vigorously into the merits of every companion and he was careful, painstaking and devoted to the interests of all with whom he associated and when he departed upon this trip he remarked that he liked to go hunting with Rev. Tourtelot because he always felt safe.
A brief service will be held at his late residence on Main Street today at 10 o’clock a.m. Rev A. E. Kepford, pastor of the Church of God, officiating, after which the remains will be sent over the C. & N. W. railway to Liscomb, Iowa, on the 2:30 p.m. train accompanied by the relatives and an escort of the K. P. Lodge. Funeral services will be held at Liscomb tomorrow (Friday) and he will be laid to rest beside his mother who recently preceded him to the universal home beyond.
Beside the stricken and heartbroken wife, the deceased leaves two loving daughters, Alta and Della, a father, J. H. Burger, also three brothers and two sisters, Ms. Lille Vauthrun and Mrs. Nina Thompson of Rhodes, Iowa, John Burger of Adair, Iowa, Charles Burger of Odebolt, Iowa, and Bert Burger of this city. These relatives have the deepest sympathy of this entire community. He was a honored member of the K. P. Lodge and we understand has provided for his family with insurance, beside the comfortable home on Main street and his business property on Second Street.
Details of the Tragedy
From Rev. Tourtellot, the following facts are gleaned in substance. Tuesday morning about five o’clock the deceased and Rev. Tourtellot started from Turin for Oliver Lake. About nine o’clock a flock of ducks was discovered across the lake and they hurried around on shore, Joe being ahead. As they neared the game Joe was down the bank and consequently considerable below Mr. Tourtellot. When the ducks began to manifest signs of flying Joe turned to his companion and said, “You shoot first and I will follow. Rev. Tourtellot raised his gun and fired and just as he pulled the trigger a dark object intervened between the sight on the gun and the game and when Rev. Tourtellot had fired he saw Joe fall. While he could not realize that he was shot, Mr. Tourtellot went to him, took his hand, but one glance gave certain proof that Joe was dead. Stunned by the terrible reality, he scarcely knew what to do. They were about 2 ½ miles from Turnin but a farmer was seen about a mile away, and after covering the body Rev. Tourtellot hurried to the field and in company with the farmer went to his barn, unloaded and putting some hay in the wagon drove to the lake and from there to Turin, arriving here about noon. The fatal shot struck the back of the head just to the left of the center and tore a great hole therein, utterly crushing the skull. At the time he was shot Joe was not over five feet from the end of the gun barrel and the force of the concussion slivered the skull even to the forehead and death was of course instant.
A Horrible Tragedy
While Hunting at Oliver Lake Joe Burger is Accidently Shot by His Companion, Rev. G. M. Tourtellot. The Community and two Families Wretched
Last Monday, Rev. G. M. Tourtellot and Joe Burger left on the afternoon train for Turin, full of life and with high anticipations for a week of rare sport. Tuesday night they returned, Mr. Burger a corpse, and his friend and companion broken hearted. Another, and the most horrible accident that has ever been known to this community, has happened upon a hunting excursion, and by two of the most careful, cool headed hunters in the entire community. It is one of those unaccountable occurrences that we hear and read about in the public journals which are occurring throughout the world and will doubtless continue to shock humanity and desolate homes, so long as deadly weapons and explosives are used, and so long as men find pleasure or profit in the fields and upon the waters hunting wild game. The first information of the horrible affair was received by telephone from Rev. Tourtellot to R. S. Wasser from Turin stating that he had accidentally shot Joe Burger in the back of the head, killing him instantly. This message was received about noon or a little after. The horrible news spread throughout the city and when intimate friends broke the news to Mrs. Burger she was completely prostrated. Mrs. Tourtellot was also utterly crushed by the sad details and the entire community was overwhelmed with sorrow and eager to extend aid and encouragement to the bereaved. It was indeed a public calamity, because both these friends hold a warm place in the esteem and love of the community. Word was sent to Charlie burger at Odebolt and he came down on the afternoon train to this city joining the relatives at their homes. When the 2:40 p.m. train from the east arrived a delegation from the K. P. Lodge of this city, accompanied by undertaker Paul Wiggert, boarded the train and went to Turin to perform the brotherly offices and escort the remains home. Beside the newspaper men the following Knights composed the escort. Dr. E. C. Coan, Gray Warren, C. R. Blackman, A. J. Minnick, W. J. Anderson, and J. M. Rees. When the train from the west arrived at 8 o’clock p.m. bearing the Remains and escort, a great multitude were at the depot and the lifeless form of a friend who only yesterday cheerfully said good bye for a few days was sorrowfully followed to a desolate home. The scene was most heartrending and there was another almost equally sad when Rev. Tourtellot met the brothers and the full force of the tragedy came upon him. Rev. Tourtellot was taken immediately to his home and his careworn face bore evidence of the anguish of his heart. Loving friends, full of sympathy earnestly gave every attention to Mrs. Burger and the two stricken daughters, but human aid in such an hour can only modify the depth of sorrow and give evidence that humanity is indeed a reflection of the divine.