DeRuiter, John 1bt 1867-1900

DERUITER, RUITER

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 4/6/2012 at 19:25:39

Alton Democrat of March 31, 1900
John Ruiter/(or DeRuiter) an employee of the Pioneer livery barn at Rock Valley was instantly killed last Friday morning between the hours of six and seven o'clock by a kick from a horse which he was going to feed.
He was making a team stand around in their stall when one of them kicked him above the left eye breaking the frontal bone and causing instant
death. A man was feeding his team on the west side of the barn when the accident occurred and heard a noise which sounded like one horse kicking another and thought the horses
only playing; but when he came around to the main alley, saw Ruiter stretched out on the floor. Coroner Huizenga was summoned and gave
a verdict of instant death caused by a kick from a horse. John Ruiter was about 33 years of age.. He has lived around Rock Valley about 17 years and was well liked by everyone.
A short time ago he was left $2,000 by a brother, dying in Washington. (He also had two sisters, according to an account in the Sioux County Herald of Orange city)