Etzel, Frank M. 1842-1906

ETZEL

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/19/2023 at 15:18:02

LeMars Globe-Post, Wednesday, July 25, 1906

Frank Etzel Killed by a Train.
Man Hit by Freight Engine.

Mr. Etzel, who lives on Franklin street in LeMars and is employed on the Illinois Central as a section hand was struck by the engine of the south bound Omaha freight at about 5:30 on Tuesday evening and quite seriously hurt.

The accident occurred a mile or two out of town. The injured man was brought to the LeMars hospital where his injuries were attended by the company’s physician, Dr. P. L. Brick.

He received a large wound in the forehead, another in the back of the head, both arms were broken at the elbows, three ribs were broken and one shoulder was dislocated. He died from the injuries about 7 o’clock.
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LeMars Globe-Post, Saturday, July 28, 1906

DEATH OF FRANK ETZEL.
Details of Accident Gleaned from his Fellow Workers.

The death of Frank Etzel by being struck by an Omaha freight engine on Tuesday evening at 5:30 o’clock which was told briefly by the paper was a severe shock to the people of LeMars. He was well known in this community having lived near LeMars for about 35 years. Mr. Etzel had made application to section foreman, Carl Gilbert, on Monday for work and had been employed by him and he began work the next morning. When he apprised his wife and members of his family of his plans to work on the section, they tried to dissuade him from his purpose but could not do so.

He was working with Carl Gilbert and his crew in putting gravel on the track. Through the entire day Mr. Etzel was the first to hear a train and step aside, but when the fatal freight approached he did not hear the warning whistle, though it sounded its warning several times.

The train was behind two or three hours and when it got out of LeMars to the place where the tragedy occurred, a mile and a half from LeMars, it was running with all the speed that it could acquire in that distance. He was struck with such force that the body was hurled about forty feet away. He was tenderly picked up by the section crew and placed on the train and hurried to the hospital where he expired before an hour had elapsed.

Mr. Etzel, being a Roman Catholic in faith, Rev. Father Feuerstein, of St. Joseph’s church was summoned and administered the last rites and sacraments of the church to the dying man. He passed away at half past six o’clock.

The dead man was about sixty-five years of age and a native of Saxony, Germany. When he was young, he came to America and lived in Michigan and was married in Detroit. He came to Plymouth county thirty-five years ago and through honorable toil and economy he amassed a fine fortune. He owned a half section farm three miles west of town, another fine farm near Merrill and had also other real estate and money. Last Spring he came to town and purchased the Frank Miller property on Fulton street.

Besides the widow, he leaves nine children, two sons and seven daughters. His son Frank lives on the farm at Merrill, and John Peter is a machinist at C. L. Trenery’s automobile shops, one daughter is in a convent in St. Louis. Mrs. Peter Orban lives in Merrill and the other five daughters live at home.

The funeral was held from St. Joseph’s church on Friday morning and was very largely attended, the church being filled by friends who desired to mingle their sorrows with the family.