Heissel, Edward M. 1886-1915

HEISSEL, HENTGES, BORTSCHELLER, WURTH, GROETKEN, LEWIS, MAIROSE

Posted By: Ethel Cunningham (email)
Date: 3/31/2023 at 21:53:42

CAUGHT IN FLY WHEEL

ED HEISSEL IS VICTIM OF SHOCKING ACCIDENT

TRIPS AND FALLS INTO ENGINE

Was Picked Up and Whirled in the Air and His Skull and Face Fraotured When Thrown Repeatedly Against the Machine.

Ed Heissel, a well known young farmer residing in America township, was the victim of a terrible accident on Friday afternoon which resulted in his death less than twenty-four hours later.

Mr. Heissel In company with his brother-in-law, Ed. Hentges, a youth of nineteen, was getting ready to grind some corn and had set the gasoline engine in motion. Heissel asked the boy to hand him an oil can. He took the oil can in his hand and at the same moment stumbled over a crank and fell against the engine. The front of his jacket caught in the fly wheel of the engine and he was whirled head first against the machinery and the whole front of his skull smashed in before Henges could pull him clear. Although fearfully injured the unfortunate man did not lose consciousness for two or three hours and I suffered terribly. Dr. R. P. Wild and Dr. G. H. Mammen were summoned to attend to the injured man and with his brother, Will, conveyed him to the city hospital. It was seen from the first that his injuries were fatal, his skull being crushed, his nose and jaw broken and his eyes gouged out. Death ended his suffering shortly after one o'clock on Saturday afternoon. His death in such an awful manner is a great shock to his young wife and his relatives.

Edward M. Heissel was twenty nine years of age January 18 last and was born in Buena Vista county. When a boy he came to Plymouth county with his relatives and later lived near Hinton and of late years had lived in America township on Section 36. He was married on June 2, 1908, to Miss Margaret Hentges, daughter.of Mrs. Annie Hentges, of Oyens. Besides the bereaved wife he leaves a son, Clarence, aged two years, his mother, Mrs. Fidele Heissel, and a large family of brothers and sister and many other relatives and friends who mourn his untimely fate. The brothers and sisters are: Mrs. Frank Bortscheller, Mrs. John Wurth, Mrs. Garrett Groetken. Mrs. Lawrence Lewis, Joseph and William Heissel, of this vicinity, Louise Heissel, living with her mother in Le Mars, and Mrs. Henry Mairose, of Dell Rapids, S. D.

The funeral will be held this morning at ten o'clock at St. Joseph's church in this city, Rev. F. X. Feuerstein officiating.

Ed. Heissel was a fine young man, a progressive farmer and an upright citIzen with many friends and the community in which he lived is shocked at his sad fate and extends deep sympathy to the widow and orphan and his relatives.

(Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel - June 8, 1915)