Frerichs, Herman, 1892-1922

FRERICHS, FRERIKS, FRERICKS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/26/2017 at 07:01:52

From the Hawarden Independent, March 16, 1922:

Herman Frerichs of Hospers was struck by a special southbound train about half a mile south of Hospers about 7:30 o'clock in the evening March 5th and received injuries from which he died three days later. He had started on a walk down the track and it is believed he became dazed and sat down upon the edge of a tie to rest. The night was dark and misty and the engineer did not notice the huddled figure upon the track until it was too late. Trainmen took the injured man into Hospers and secured medical aid. His face was badly smashed and four ribs were broken at the backbone. He was never quite conscious after the accident.

The deceased was 30 years of age and a veteran of the world war. He was the first commander of Reuter Post of the American Legion at Hospers. He had been manager of the Slagle lumber yard at Hospers for two years. He is survived by his mother, two brothers and one sister.

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From the Hospers Tribune, March 10, 1922:

Frightful Accident

On Sunday evening [March 5], at about 7:30 o'clock, Herman Frericks was struck by a special southbound train on the track about half a mile south of Hospers, sustaining injuries from which he died Wednesday forenoon at about 11:30 o'clock.

It seems that he had started on a walk down the track when he must have become dazed and sat down on the edge of a tie. According [to] the engineer's version, we are told, the train was going at a slow rate on account of a heavy load. The night was dark and misty and when he noticed a man huddled on the track he applied the brakes and brought the train to a stop as soon as possible, but not until Mr. Frericks had been hit. The trainmen backed the train and brought the injured man to Hospers. Medical aid was at once summoned and Mr. Frericks taken to his room at the Hotel, where Dr. Caiman dressed his injuries.

It seems that some part of the train hit him square in the face, as his face was smashed and facial bones broken. Later it was found that four ribs had been broken at the back bone, besides many other injuries. Although never quite conscious he lived until Wednesday forenoon, when life passed away as stated above. His mother, Mrs. Miller from Lennox, S.D., had been notified and came early Moday morning. Everything possible was done to save his life but his injuries were too great.

Herman Frericks was 30 years old and had been manager of the Slagle lumber yard in Hospers the past two years, which position he filled admirably. He made many friends while here. During the war he served with the United States army over seas. He was the first commander of the Reuter Post of the American Legion of Hospers. He had worked for the Slagle company for several years, having charge of yards in South Dakota and Iowa [illegible word] before coming to Hospers. He leaves besides his mother two brothers and one sister.

The remains were taken to Lennox this Tuesday morning for burial. The funeral is in charge of the American Legion. This morning [illegible word] services[?] were held in the [illegible word] undertaking room, in charge of Rev. G. H. Douwstra. Messrs[?] Jake Roun[?] and Broer Hoogeterp, as members of the Legion, accompanied the remains to Lennox where interment will be made. Mrs. Miller has the sincere sympathy of all in the sad loss of her son.

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A brief news note on the accident in the Rock Valley Bee (March 17) spells his surname Freriks.

A search for him in death and cemetery records on Ancestry.com finds an entry on FindaGrave.com for Herman F. Frerichs, born 1892, died 1922, son of Edward J. Frerichs (1860-1935) and Helene F. Peters Frerichs (1865-1930), buried in Lennox Cemetery, Lennox, Lincoln County, South Dakota.