DeJong, Earl abt 1908-1924

DEJONG, MOUW

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg (email)
Date: 8/4/2016 at 14:29:23

Alton Democrat April 5, 1924

Earl De Jong Accidently Killed
A Shocking accident occurred last Friday afternoon on the Steve De Jong farm when Earl De Jong 16 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. De Jong, we fatally injured. It being a very windy day, Mr. De Jong and his son were about to grind feed with the windmill, which was in disuse. Not having been used for some time the mechanism was rusty and refused to start. The windmill is over a shed, the rod extending through the shed to the ground.

Earl climbed on the building to try and start the mill, in which he succeeded too well. His clothes apparently caught in the rod as it turned and gained momentum, whirling the boy to his death before this father could stop it from turning. The lad lived only a few hours, passing on at about five o’clock Friday afternoon. Besides his parents Earl is survived by a brother Peter, sister Nellie, and grandmother, Mrs. Peter Mouw.

The funeral held Monday from the First Ref. church at Orange City, with Rev. Engelsman officiating, was one of the largest ever held in that church. Deep sympathy for the family is felt thoughout the county, particularly as this in the third fatal accident in the family, Earls grandfather Peter Mouw was killed about two years ago when he was fatally injured, and Mr. and Mrs. Mouw’s adopted son met death by accident some years ago on the same farm.