Adams, William (Died 1927)

ADAMS, DOWNING

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/27/2009 at 16:11:52

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
July 19, 1927

FATALLY HURT WHEN GORED
Farm Hand Expires in Local Hospital As Result of Injuries
ATTACKED BY BULL
Is Tossed and Trampled by the Irate Animal

William Adams, 64 years old, a farm hand, died at a local hospital here Saturday afternoon from injuries he received when trampled by an irate bull the previous day at the farm of Henry Detloff, about five miles north of LeMars.

Adams was attacked by a bull as he was taking the animal back to the barn after leading it to water. He was struck in the back by the animal and tossed in the air and then trampled, his chest being crushed.

Adams was rushed to the hospital in LeMars after his prostrate form was seen lying in the farm yard by Mrs. Detloff. The physicians could do little for him as his injuries from the first examination were seen to be fatal.

WARNED BY OWNER
It is stated that Adams, who had only worked at the Detloff place for a few days, had been cautioned to look out for the animal. The bull is a Guernsey and dehorned.

Before going to the Detloff place Adams had worked on the Allie Hawkins farm in Sioux County for a short time.

Little is known of the man here. It was learned from remarks he had made that he had a few hundred dollars savings tied up in a bank in Sioux Falls, S.D., which failed some time ago. He also stated that he had a sister living in Denver, Colorado. As the unfortunate man had no money and no friends, the body was consigned to the Wiltgen undertaking parlors. Supervisor W.H. Zimmerman and Miss Life, county welfare worker, in making inquiries and examining some letters in the pockets of the clothing of the deceased, elicited the fact that a sister, Mrs. Ella Downing, resides in Denver, Colo. She was notified of the death of her brother here, but stated she was in no position to take charge of the funeral and asked that her brother be buried here.

The funeral will be held here tomorrow afternoon.