Banowetz Shot in Freak Accident

BANOWETZ, VARNER, GRAVES

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 3/24/2014 at 22:41:09

Maquoketa Community Press, November 15, 1955

BANOWETZ SHOT IN FREAK ACCIDENT

Theodore Banowetz, 20 year old Maquoketa youth, remains in critical condition today at the Jackson County Public Hospital with a bullet wound in his abdomen. A .32 calibre revolver is reported to have accidentally discharged, the slug striking young Banowetz in the stomach, while he and Art Varner, both employees of Gravey's Garbage Service, were unloading rubbish and trash Saturday at the city dump.

While Banowetz's condition was reported as "improving" he remained still on the critical list. Details of the freak mishap are incomplete, Sheriff Loren C. Felderman states. The gun, however, was mistakenly tossed into the trash can, he says. One bullet discharged, with three remaining in the gun, Sheriff Felderman says. The accident happened about 9 a.m. The dump is four miles northeast of Maquoketa. The revolver is at the Sheriff's office. Banowetz is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Banowetz of Maquoketa.

The Iowa Highway Patrol and Patrolman Billy Kincade are credited with possibly saving Banowetz's life. Kincade sped to Dubuque in his patrol car, at times in excess of 90 miles per hour and returned with five pints of blood urgently needed for Banowetz. A flat tire four miles south of Key West, enroute to Dubuque, was changed in seconds flat. Met by the Dubuque police, Kincaid returned to the Maquoketa hospital with the blood in less than 45 minutes from the time the call was placed.