Fatal Accident at the Circus

DEMOSS

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 5/19/2009 at 13:57:19

Maquoketa Excelsior, July 24, 1896.

Fatal Accident At The Circus

Although the visit of a circus is usually accompanied by a chapter of accidents, the one which was here yesterday almost proved an exception to the general rule. We say almost for one particularly sad accident occurred, one which snapped the thread of life for a respected citizen without a moment’s warning.

Mr. Sanford DeMoss, a aged gentlemen whose home is in the Second Ward, walked down to the circus yesterday afternoon in company with three of his grandchildren, and when in the act of stepping across the ditch opposite the entrance to the fairgrounds his feet slipped in the slimy mud and he fell on his back. A few hack drivers saw the affair and ran to his assistance. Thinking he was stunned they placed him in a hack, conveyed him to his home and summoned Dr. Bowen, who pronounced him dead, his neck having been broken by the fall.

Mr. DeMoss was born in Lincoln County, Ohio, 77 years ago. He was married to Sarah Ann Gibbs, Sept. 8, 1839, and to whom were born eight children, of whom seven are living, three daughters and two sons in this city and vicinity, a dauighter in Oklahoma and a son at Manchester, this state. In the early 1850’s Mr. and Mrs. DeMoss came west to Lee County, Illinois, where they resided for seven years, and then they came to Iowa, settling in Brandon Township, this county, where Mrs. DeMoss died in 1890. In 1892, Mr. DeMoss came to Maquoketa, to live and was well liked by his neighbors, all who knew him, his kindly face and genial ways winning him friends wherever he went. The funeral services will be held tomorrow at 1 p.m., in the Emeline Curch, Rev. H. Clark, of the Baptist Church, officiating.