KOHL, Stephen 1885-1910

KOHL

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 12/21/2014 at 13:05:03

Stephen Kohl – 1885-1910 (note his last name was spelled Cole in the articles)

Sioux Bridge Holds Death.
Stephen Cole (sic) Perhaps Fatally Injured in Falling Structure.

Companion, a young boy from Valley Springs, suffers injury.
Stephen Cole (sic) fatally injured and a young boy from Valley Springs suffering from a broken arm is the result of the falling of the bridge over the Sioux river at what is known as the Webster crossing about three miles east of the city. Word was brought to Sioux Falls at 9 o'clock last night by George Tuthill stating that a man had been killed and another fatally injured in an accident on the bridge and that a call had been sent in for the coroner and a physician. Mr. Tuthill had but little information to give owing to the excited condition of the man who had given him the message. The report came to police headquarters and Sergeant Cloudas at one notified Dr. Keller and Coroner Booth. .

As quickly as possible Dr. Keller and Officer Collins drove out in an auto and upon their return gave the story of the accident as it had been told to them. It seems that Mr. Cole and the boy had been working in the field and upon going home had crossed the bridge for a load of hay. Accompanying them was the little daughter of J.E.Kelley, who lived near the bridge. The girl left the hay rack at the bridge and states that when Mr. Cole had driven about ten feet upon the structure it collapsed. The father of the girl heard the crash and hurried to the rescue and was met by the daughter who told him the particulars. They made an effort to telephone to the city and finally met Mr. Tuthill, to whom they gave the message for help. .

Neighbors were soon summoned and the injured man extricated, the boy being taken to the home but Mr. Cole was too seriously injured to be moved. Upon the arrival of Dr. Keller an examination showed that one arm was broken and the other had been cut to the bone entirely around the wrist. One side of Mr. Cole's head bad been struck and partially crushed by falling timbers and he had bones of his neck broken as well as being injured internally. The boy suffered a fracture of his right leg, but will recover. .

It was with great difficulty that Mr. Cole was extricated from his position beneath the timbers and after being freed it was necessary to raise him up over an almost perpendicular bank almost sixteen feet high before he could be taken to his home. As soon as an examination was made it was almost certain that the man could not live long. .

Cole is a young man of 35 and unmarried. He recently rented the Wayne Webster place three miles east of this city and has been living there with his mother, who has been keeping house for him..

The bridge where the accident happened is one of the county bridges, but was not known to have been in a poor condition..

A telephone message to The Press at 2:330 this morning states that Mr. Cole was in a most critical condition and death was momentarily expected. .

Sioux Falls, SD, Daily Press June 24, 1910.
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One Killed, Two Injured.

What is Known as McKee Bridge Collapses with the Loss of One Life.

Stephen Cole (sic) died from injuries and a young companion suffered a broken arm.

As the result of an accident Thursday evening at the McKee Bridge three miles northeast of the city, which collapsed, Stephen Cole (sic) about 35 is dead. Mrs. Cole is badly injured and a son about seventeen years of age is laid up with a broken leg.

Mr. Cole and son had worked in the field all afternoon and after supper, Mr. & Mrs. Cole, son and daughter left the house for the purpose of securing a load of hay. Mr. Cole is a renter on the Wayne Webster place north of town. They went to the point where they were to secure the hay which was on the east side of the river. .

The load was secured and the party started back for home. When approaching the bridge the daughter announced that she wanted to get off and visit for a short time with a friend. The team was stopped and the daughter alighted. The team was again started and the daughter standing probably fifty feet from the bridge was watching the load of hay being drawn over the bridge when there was a cracking and breaking of timbers and the bridge went down beneath the load.
The alarm was given and assistance was soon on hand. Mrs. Cole was found to be not very severely injured. She suffered from some bruises and also from the shock. The son was taken out with a broken leg and other slight injuries. When the father was found he was unconscious. He was under a portion of the bridge. When removed, which was some minutes later it was found that his head was crushed, one arm broken and the other arm badly cut. .

Aid was summoned from the city. A physician went to the scene and he had the mother and son removed to their home but found Mr. Cole's injuries such as to preclude his being moved. Some hours later Mr. Cole died from his injuries. The accident is a most deplorable one. No one is to blame.

Coroner Booth when seen this afternoon announced that he would hold an inquest but inasmuch as the witnesses were scattered he would not attempt to hold the inquest before next week.

Sioux Falls Daily Argus Leader June 24, 1910.

***Stephen Kohl was buried in St. Marys Cemetery, Alvord, Lyon County, Iowa