BEYER, August H. 1910-1935

BEYER, MARCKS, TEAL, STONEHOCKER, BORK, HANNAM, KITTLESON

Posted By: Deidre Badker (email)
Date: 6/10/2006 at 06:28:01

Electricity Kills August Beyer - July 3, 1935

Scale is Believed to Have Carried Electricity That Caused Electrocution

Funeral services were conducted yesterday for August H. Beyer, 25, who was electrocuted in an accident Saturday morning at the Hormel Packing Plant at Austin, Minnesota, where he had been employed.

Because of the unusual manner in which Beyer was killed, the accident was investigated by Hormel officials and an autopsy was performed by Dr. J.J. Morrow at Austin. It was decided that death was undoubtedly caused by electrocution.

Beyer was piling hides on a scale when he suddenly collapsed. The only source of electricity nearby was a light-wire hanging from the ceiling near the scale. Electricians at the plant were at a loss to explain how the accident happened but the theory was advanced that the wire may have touched the scale which carried the current into Beyer's body.

The body was taken to the Schutte funeral home where it remained until Tuesday morning when it was brought here. Rites were conducted at 1:30 at the home of his mother, Mrs. Martha Beyer, 4 1/2 miles southwest of town. Services were also conducted at the Rock Creek Lutheran church at 2:00 p.m., Rev. C. Kumpf officiating.

August H. Beyer was born June 1, 1910 in Rock Creek township, Mitchell County, Iowa. He attended school and was confirmed at the Rock Creek Lutheran church. On November 28, 1932, he was married to Miss Laura Marcks.

He is survived by his mother, his wife, and his son, Robert Eugene, a year and 11 months old. Five brothers and five sisters also survive. They are George of Nora Springs, Julius of Buffalo, N.D., and Joseph, Albert and William of St. Ansgar, Iowa, Mrs. Ida Teal of Northwood, Mrs. Hilda Stonehocker of Mitchell, Mrs. Hattie Bork of Carpenter, Mrs. Lavina Hannam of St. Ansgar, and Mrs. Selma Kittleson of Princeton, Illinois. One sister is deceased.

Pallbeareres were Jim Mascek, Henry Bernhardt, Tony Mascek, Roland Eske, Art Rachut, and Lloyd Feldt. Interment was made in the St. Ansgar cemetery.

(from the St. Ansgar Enterprise, St. Ansgar, Iowa)