Hospers, George Abbett (Child) 1917-1927

HOSPERS

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 6/25/2017 at 19:34:42

Source: Rock Valley Bee (7-1-1927)

Born: 1917
Died: 1927

George Abbett Hospers, nine year old, the son and only child of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius G. Hospers of Orange City, Iowa, was smothered to death Wednesday afternoon in a gravel pit near Millers Bay on the west side of West Okoboji Lake. The pit which is about five feet deep is one from which gravel was taken for the new road recently constructed along the west side of the lake. The unfortunate little fellow and two other boys of about the same age, “Buddie” Means of Des Moines and Robert Dunlop of Orange City, using spades, had dug in the soil on one side of the pit, leaving a clay roof about two feet thick. They are resting from their work when the roof caved in on them. Little George was lying face downward and except his feet was entirely covered. The other two boys were sitting up. The Means boy was covered up to his neck and the Dunlop boy to his shoulders but they were able to free themselves. Being unable to release their companion, young Means ran to the cottages at the Clements and Mendenhall Beach and gave the alarm. Drs. W.L. and Jean Mendenhall and Dr. Mathel Hospers, the latter an aunt of the boy rushed by automobile to the pit. The Dunlap boy had removed considerable amounts of the clay and sand that covered young Hospers and Dr. Mendenhall quickly got him out. The physicians instantly began efforts at resuscitation. Dr. A.F. Smith, who was called arrived as soon as possible and the efforts were continued for about three hours without avail.

Mr. Hospers is a leading merchant of Orange City; Mr. George Means, father of “Buddie” is in the automobile business in Des Moines. The Hospers and Means families had been occupying cottages at the lake for two weeks and expected to remain for a third week. Young Dunlop, who was a guest of the Hospers family is a son of County Agent George Dunlop of Sioux County. Mr. Hospers was at Orange City and Mr. Means at Des Moines at the time of the tragic. Word was sent to them immediately and Mr. Hospers drove over at once. The body was taken that evening to Orange City.

The bereaved parents have the sincere sympathy of their many friends, both in their home town and community and at the lake in their sad and sudden loss.