Krapp, John Jr. 1889-1918

KRAPP, LENTSCH

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/30/2014 at 18:34:02

Kossuth County Advance
January 9, 1918

AUTO JUMPS BRIDGE; YOUNG FARMER DIES
John P. Krapp, West of Bancroft, is Killed Saturday Night.
SNOW CONCEALS THE ROAD; DRIVES OFF BRIDGE SIDE
Car Turns Bottom Side Up and Pins Him Down.
Wife Gets Help but Rescuers Find Him Dead.

John E. Krapp, a young farmer, lost his life Saturday night, when his car ran off a small bridge about five miles west of Bancroft and was overturned, pinning him beneath it. The young man’s wife, who was with him, escaped without injury. The car was a Ford. The accident occurred at about 10 o’clock.

Mr. and Mrs. Krapp were returning from Swea City with drugs for the former’s father, John Krapp, Sr., who has been very ill for a long time with heart trouble. A blizzard had come up, and snow was falling. The was therefore hard to follow. Mr. Krapp seems to have been out of the road a few feet when he struck the bridge. The wheels on one side apparently missed the bridge altogether.

Car’s Wheels In Air.
The car turned half way over, and lodged with its wheels in the air. Mr. Krapp was caught under the car, with the back of the front seat, the steering wheel, and part of the top resting on his body. His jaw was broken.

Mrs. Krapp got out of the car, and frantically tried to release her husband, but her strength was not equal to the task. Mr. Krapp was then alive, and told her where to go to get help. She started away, but heard him groaning, and came back to make another attempt to release him. Failing again, she went for help, but in her confusion took the wrong direction. However, she finally found help, but when the rescuers reached him they found him dead.

County to Stand Damages!
One story has it that the bridge were the accident occurred was a concrete bridge, all finished except the railing, for which gas pipes had been set. According to another account the bridge was a temporary affair, to be used until spring, when a concrete bridge was to be built. There is a rumor that the county may be asked to pay damages for the loss of Mr. Krapp’s life.

Mr. Krapp was one of six children, three sons and three daughters. He was about 27 years old, and was married less than a year ago to Miss Theresia Lentsch. His father has long been one of the wealthy and prominent farmers of the Bancroft neighborhood.
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Algona Courier
January 10, 1918

FARMER KILLED IN AUTO ACCIDENT
John Krapp Jr. Crushed to Death Sunday Evening.
Auto Went Off Bridge Over Dredge Ditch Pinning Driver Under Car. Died Before Help Arrived.

John Krapp Jr., a respected young farmer living four miles southwest of Bancroft, met a tragic death Sunday evening when the auto which he was driving went over a bridge. He and his wife were returning from Swea City about ten o’clock when the car went off the bridge. The car rolled into the dredge ditch and pinned the unfortunate man securely beneath. Mrs. Krapp managed to crawl from beneath the car, but was unable to move the weight from her husband. She then set out to obtain help and secured assistance from the Charles Logan home and from other neighbors who were then aroused. However, the car had evidently settled an unbearable weight upon the victim for before help arrived the man was dead. The weight of the car rested on Mr. Knapp’s chest and it is thought he suffocated before help arrived. His jaw was broken and other injuries sustained which may have hastened death.

Mr. Krapp was a thrifty young farmer, a son of John Krapp Sr., and had been married less than a year. The father is at present in a critical condition, suffering from leakage of the heart. His mother died a year ago. Besides the wife and father, two sisters and two brothers survive. Funeral services will be held today at Bancroft.