Omer "Slats" Omundson (ca 1898-1923)

OMUNDSON

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 4/19/2024 at 17:37:23

From the Roland Record, Roland, Story County, Iowa, May 24, 1923.

OMER OMONDSON KILLED BY TRAIN

Omer Omundson, Formerly Employed by Hegland Produce Co., Was Instantly Killed by Train Near Eagle Grove.

Omer Omundson of Jewell, employed by the World Bros. circus as night watchman, which performed at Webster City a week ago last Saturday, met instant death some time during the night Saturday, May 19, when he fell between two cars of the train two miles south of Eagle Grove. The body was found Sunday morning about six o'clock when it was picked up by a southbound freight and taken back to Eagle Grove. From there Omundson's folks, who are residing at Jewell, were notified and brought the body to Jewell Sunday evening, burial taking place there.

Omundson was a young man about 25 years of age and a member of the Jewell post of the American Legion. He carried his Legion card in his pocket and it was in this way the authorities were able to make identification. He had worked with several circuses and been but a short time with World Bros. The circus management did not miss him until they came to Rolfe. It is supposed that he had been walking on the top of the cars and had lost his footing and fallen between the moving cars. His head was badly mangled and one foot mashed and the body otherwise badly mutilated.

Omondson was a son of Mr. and Mr. Osmund Omundson of Jewell, both of whom survive him, besides two brothers, Oscar and Ole, also four married sisters. During the World War he served in the Rainbow Division and was overseas for several months. He is quite well known in this community under the name of "Slats," which name he also carried in the circus, and he had been for several winters employed at the Hegland Produce Co. during the chicken picking season.