Dobbert, John (Died 1893)

DOBBERT

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 10/16/2008 at 18:32:48

JOHN DOBBERT IS DRAGGED TO DEATH BY A RUNAWAY TEAM.

A well-known and highly respected LeMars citizen met his death Tuesday in a
peculiar and tragic manner. John Dobbert while driving a team to a heavy
lumber wagon about three miles south of LeMars, drove off the end of a small
culvert in the road and the front wheels dropped suddenly down pitching him
over the dashboard behind the horses. The team jumped and ran dragging Mr.
Dobbert under the front axletree with his feet caught in the reins and
whiffletrees.

Just before reaching the culvert, Dobbert was met by M. Scheels and John
Eichorn, of Remsen. They looked around, and seeing the team dragging Mr.
Dobbert, they followed as rapidly as possible. The team came to a halt near
Sam Sevison's farm and the injured man was disentangled and carried into the
house.

He had been dragged nearly half a mile over the rough road. One arm and one
leg were broken and his back and back of his head were badly skinned and the
hair was nearly all gone off the back of his head. A bad cut in his temple
and a bad dent in the back of his head were probably sufficient to have
caused his death. His face was not recognizable when he was picked up. After
being carried into the house several persons saw him, among them Supervisor
Hawkins and none could identify him.

Dr. Richey was called and after caring for the wounded man, a neighbor
recognized him as Mr. Dobbert. The wounded man never regained consciousness
and died about noon.

Mr. Dobbert was one of Plymouth county's pioneers, having come here and
settled on a farm about twenty years ago. About two years ago, he moved to
LeMars, where he was living when he met his death.

~Source: LeMars Sentinel, 14 Sep 1893