George Spitznogle

SPITZNOGLE, ROSENBERGER, TUSTISON

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 3/7/2024 at 15:18:18

The Wapello Republic, Wapello, Iowa
Thursday, May 19, 1892
Page 4

George Spitznogle, son of John Spitznogle, of Jefferson township, was working in the field with another young man by the name of Rosenberger last Tuesday afternoon. When they saw the storm approaching they started home with their teams. The storm overtaking them, they tied their horses and entered an old vacant house on the Lon Hook land, on the south bank of the Spitznogle lake. They went up stairs and together near the windows were watching their teams and taking note of the storm. Young Rosenberger noted a flash of lightening and saw his companion fall, killed instantly. When the storm had subsided young Rosenberger carried the cold lifeless form down stairs and laid in the wagon and drove to Mr. Spitznogles house.

The father inquired where his son was and was told he was in the wagon dead. The father was horrified by the sudden unexpected intelligence and rushing to the wagon grasped his boy in his arms. The father overcome with grief was confined to his bed for a time.

Dr. Tustison examined the boy. He found his left ear and side of his neck slightly discolored, a couple spots on the forehead and marks on the left leg. The top of the left shoe was torn off. The electric current had entered the end of the house and started down the studding against which the young man was leaning slightly splintering the timber in its passage. The boy was held in high esteem by his neighbors, was in his 18th year, the only son and in his life were wrapped the hopes of a fond father and three loving sisters. The mother had died when the children were small, but the father kept them together. The remains were laid to rest in the Mallory cemetery at 2 p. m. yesterday.