SANFORD DEMOSS

DEMOSS, GIBBS

Posted By: bj (email)
Date: 1/14/2006 at 12:51:30

Maquoketa Excelsior
Maquoketa, Iowa
Friday, July 24, 1896.
His Neck Was Broken.

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, an aged gentleman 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 fair ground 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 them were born eight children, of whom seven are living, three daughters and two sons in this city and vicinity, a daughter in Oklahoma and a son at Manchester, this state. In the early 50s Mr. and Mrs. DeMoss came west to Lee county, Ill., 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 and 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 church, Rev. H. Clark, of the Baptist church, officiating.