Hans L. Dale (ca. 1844-1901)

DALE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/18/2011 at 21:00:25

From Story County Watchman April 12, 1901

Story City Messenger: ....H. L. Dale was quite seriously injured yesterday after noon, from a piano falling upon him. Three men attempted to lift the piano from the dray which proved to be too big a lift and together with the strong wind, the whole weight of the piano fell upon Mr. Dale. Later--just as we go to press this morning the sad news of Mr. Dale's death is reported. Full particulars next week.

On the same page:

Story City Messenger: ....Last Thursday happened one of the saddest, and from its results, one of the most terrible accidents which has ever occured in our town. Hans L. Dale was then fatally injured while unloading a piano at the Thom Mason residence, and died the following day. The drayman and Dale's partner, Mr. L. Hill, were the only ones present at the time. Being in a hurry they began to unload the piano before the extra help arrived, and while balancing it on the edge of the dray, it suddenly tipped over, throwing its whole weight upon Mr. Dale and fell upon him crushing him between its weight and the sidewalk. The weight of the piano was 1000 pounds and it was with great difficulty, the other two could lift it, so that Mr. Dale could crawl from under. They succeeded in getting him into Mr. Mason's house, and immediately called Drs. Geist and Emmet. All that human hands could do was done for the sufferer, but Friday morning at 10 o'clock he died, surrounded by his family and a few friends who were present. Mr. Dale was about 57 years old but still strong and healthy. He came to this county in the sixties, stopping first in Clinton county then moved to Benton county where he lived several years and moved into this county in 1871. He leaves a wife and seven children, the three oldest of which are married.