William J. Bridgeman (ca. 1874-1901)

BRIDGEMAN, MONTGOMERY

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/26/2011 at 22:44:33

From Story County Watchman July 26, 1901

A sad accident occurred on the farm of M. W. Montgomery, six miles northwest of Nevada on Friday last to Wm. Bridgeman, a young man about 27 years of age, was using a self-dumping rake in making hay, when the horses became frightened and ran away. The young man walked out on the tongue to regain one line, which had been jerked out of his hands, and while there either fell or was kicked down by the horses, so that one foot caught between the two parts of the tongue. In this manner he was dragged about the field by the fleeing horses and pounded to death. No one else was working in the same field, but the unmanageable condition of the horses was noticed by Mr. Montgomery from a distance and he, with other help, at once hastened to the scene. When the horses were stopped, however, the young man was almost dead and the last signs of life had disappeared before medical aid arrived. Mr. Bridgeman was a nephew of Mr. Montgomery, and was here on a visit with his wife and two children. He was employed in one of the steel mills of Chicago where he resided. The remains were taken to Chicago for interment which was done under the care of the order of Maccabees of which he was an honored member.