Martin Langland (1886-1909)

LANGLAND, HOLLAND

Posted By: Alan Nicholson
Date: 4/23/2010 at 23:57:31

Roland Record
1 July 1909

Martin Langland Killed by Boy With Rifle

Young Boy Accidentally Shoots Young Man With Rifle, the Accident Occurring at 4:30 Monday Afternoon and Death Follows at 5:15, Very Large Funeral Held on Wednesday Afternoon

One of the most tragic accidents that has happened in this vicinity for a long time occurred to the Henry Nelson home last Monday afternoon when Martin Langland was shot and killed, all occurring in such a short time that his friends can hardly realize what has happened.

About two o'clock, he procured a rig from O. O. Lein and drove to George Quam's place in company with Iver Iverson, where he expected to hire out to work. After they had stopped a while at the Quam home, they drove north and overtook Misses Gertrude Nelson and Mary Eggland on their way to the Henry Nelson home so the boys offered the ladies a ride. They accepted the invitation and after reaching the Nelson home the ladies got out of the buggy, while the boys remained in their seats being ready to return to town.

While they were still there, one of the Nelson boys, age about six years said that he wanted to see the rifle that they had along, but this was refused him, but he persisted and finally succeeded in taking the gun away from them. While he was in this act, the cartridge exploded, and passed over the back of Iver Iverson and striking Martin Langland in the left temple. He fell over in unconsciousness at once and did not revive again before he died. He was carried into the house at once and medical aid called. Drs. Rice and Snyder came up there within twenty minutes after the accident occurred, but were helpless to do anything, because of the nature of the wound and he passed away forty-five minutes after the accident occurred. Upon examination it was found that the bullet had pierced the brain and that the direct cause of his death was an internal hemorrhage.

From all appearances it would indicate that the accident was accidental and that the blame cannot be fixed upon any one. The family at whose home the accident occurred are naturally feeling almost frantic over what happened. His brothers and sisters were notified at once, Mrs. Ole H. Holland arriving just before he breathed his last. The others have arrived to be present at the funeral.

Mr. Langland was born on the old Langland farm two miles southwest of town, April 11, 1886, and was 23 years, 2 months and 17 days old when death claimed him.

Martin was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ole C. Langland, one of the highly respected families of this township. He was born and raised here and was a respectable young man who had many friends. He was a member of the baseball team and always took an active interest in athletics. He attended school at Luther College at Decorah and C. C. C. College at Des Moines.

He leaves three brothers and two sisters to mourn his untimely death. They are, Mrs. O. H. Holland, J. O. Langland, both living north of town, Severin Langland, of Williams, Olena Langland, of this place, and Jacob Langland, of Windom, Minn. Besides these he leaves numerous other relatives and friends.

The funeral was held yesterday afternoon at the same time as that of Knudt O. Teig and was undoubtedly one of the largest funerals ever held in Roland, it being estimated that nearly two thousand people viewed the corpses. Rev. G. Smedal preached the funeral sermon, after which the remains were interred in the Roland cemetery. The sorrowing ones have the sincere sympathy of a large circle of friends in the hour of their sudden bereavement.

[NOTE - the obituary for Knudt Teig also appears in the 1 July 1909 Roland Record, though it does not mention the concurrent funeral services]