Helgen, Billie, 1922-1924

HELGEN, HELGENS, HELGIN, ROTH

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

From the Rock Valley Bee, November 7, 1924:

FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHILD MEETS TRAGIC DEATH

William, the 4-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Helgens who live three miles south of Ireton, was choked to death this morning [i.e., Oct. 30] when his clothing caught in a barbed wire fence in a manner that choked him. The little fellow had been playing in the yard and attempted to climb over a barbed wire fence. On reaching the top of the fence he unbalanced on the loose wire and fell head first, his clothing caught in the barbs pinning him fast in midair and the weight of the little body drew the clothing tightly about his throat making it impossible for him to cry aloud, nor could his young mind solve the way to extricate himself from his dangerous position and his young life soon passed away.

The little fellow was under the watchful care of his mother and had been out of sight but a few minutes. When she came to the door to see if he was all right, he was no where in sight and she hastily made search only to find his lifeless body suspended from the fence. The frantic mother hastily called her husband from the field and summoned a physician, but life had passed from the body and beyond the state of resuscitation.

The victim of the accident was the elder of two children and the pride of the fond and loving parents, who are grief stricken over his untimely and tragic death.--Ireton Ledger

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From the Ireton Ledger, November 6, 1924:

The funeral services for little Billie Helgens, who was choked to death by being caught in a barbed wire fence last week, was held from the Beeley undertaking parlors at Le Mars last Saturday. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Zibell of Craig, and burial was made in the Le Mars cemetery.

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The index to the LeMars Memorial Cemetery on the Plymouth County GenWeb site has Helgen, Billie, born 9/21/1922, died 10/30/1924. It is linked to an article on his death from the LeMars Globe-Post, October 3, 1924, which provides information similar to the above. This article spells the family surname Helgin.

His death certificate has Wilmer Wayne Helgen, born Sept. 21, 1922 in Iowa; parents John H. Helgen, born in Iowa, and Carrie Roth, born in Sioux City; died 30 Oct 1924 at 11 a.m. in Reeding [i.e., Reading] Township, Sioux County of accidental hanging; buried Le Mars City Cemetery.