Earl Guy Hurst (1882-1930)

HURST, WOOD, GIFFORD, MEESE

Posted By: Gail and Dennis Bell
Date: 6/11/2005 at 20:05:27

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, September 18, 1930, page 1, column 1. "DYNAMITE EXPLOSION KILLS FARRAR RESIDENT - Earl G. Hurst Died at Lutheran Hospital Sunday, Result of Injuries in Dynamite Explosion Friday - Earl G. Hurst died early Sunday morning from injuries sustained in a dynamite explosion which occurred last Friday forenoon when he and his son, Russell, were blasting stumps along the road south of their home, the old Andrew Kopf farm, just east of Farrar, preparatory to rebuilding the fence. Mr. Hurst had prepared the charge of two sticks of dynamite and awaited the explosion. Thinking the fuse had gone out he went back to relight it when the explosion took place. Russell was far enough away that only the concussion affected him, but Mr. Hurst was blown into the air and out in the road , a distance of about thirty feet. Russel[l] immediately took his father to their home. Dr. Trotter was called from Maxwell, the Cooper ambulance was summoned and Mr. Hurst was taken to the Lutheran hospital at Des Moines. After an examination his right arm was amputated between the wrist and elbow, and his right eye removed, the supposition being that the left eye was also destroyed. The unfortunate man's body was terribly cut and bruised, clothing, dirt, splinters of wood and gravel being imbedded in the flesh. Despite his condition, he was able to converse with the family on the way to the Lutheran hospital. His wife, son, Russell, and daughter, Mrs. E. L. Wood, of Maxwell, were with him at the hospital. As soon as possible after reaching the hospital Mr. Hurst was operated upon, but the terrific blast had evidently caused internal injuries, which with the shock and effects of the terrible lacerations, his system was unable to withstand and he passed away about 12:30 a. m. Sunday morning. - Obituary - Earl Guy, son of Hiram and Alfreda Hurst, was born in Jasper county, Iowa, April 26, 1882, and departed this life September 14, 1930, aged 48 years four months and eighteen days. He was one of a family of five children. He was united in marriage with Mabel Gifford March 24, 1904. To this union three children were born, Charles, who entered life eternal at the age of fourteen years; Gladys Wood, of Maxwell, and Russel[l], at home. He is also survived by his aged parents, his brother, Virgil, of Newton; a twin brother, Carl, of Maxwell, and a sister, Mrs. Edna Meese, of Valeria. One brother, Charles, passed on at the age of twenty-two years. In early manhood he united with the M. P. church at Farrar and retained his membership until his death. He was a devoted husband and father, always enjoying the companionship of his wife and children. Earl's chief characteristic was the enjoyment of friends who were only limited by the number of his acquaintances. Always hospitable, genial and sympathetic, any neighbor in need of assistance was sure of his ready help and sympathy. His keen enjoyment of life makes his sudden passing more of a shock to the entire community than might otherwise be. "I cannot say and I will not say that he is dead. He is just away. With a cherry smile and a wave of the hand, He has wandered into an unknown land, And left us dreaming how very fair It needs must be, since he is there, and you - O you who the greatest yearn, For the old time step - and the glad return - Think of him, faring on - as dear in the love of There, as the love of Here, Think of him still as the same, I say. He is not dead; he is just away." Funeral services were held Monday afternoon in the Farrar church, in charge of Rev. C. R. Green, a former pastor, assisted by Rev. J. W. Payne. Several favorite hymns were sung by E. B. Battles, E. Mattox, Rev. Payne, Harry Fackler, Mrs. R. Poorbaugh, Helen Dunlap, Pauline Evans and Doris Payne, with Mrs. R. A. Peterson at the piano. The high esteem his neighbors and friends had for Earl was shown by the very large number who came to pay their last tribute to one who had endeared himself to all of them, also by the large number of floral offerings. "Gone but not forgotten," may be truthfully said of [t]his man taken in the prime of life. The sympathy of the entire community is extended to his stricken family. - Card of Thanks - We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who gave so freely of their sympathy and assistance in our time of great sorrow. Mrs. Earl Hurst and Russell. Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Wood. Mr. and Mrs. H. N. Hurst and family."

BURIAL: Iowa Historical Library, Des Moines, Iowa, POLK COUNTY CEMETERIES WASHINGTON TWP.,Geneal * F 627; .P7 C 4 V.6, Farrar Cemetery, page 3, HURST, Earl G., born 4 26 1882, died 9 14 1930, Sec. A, Lot 5, Row 2; HURST, Mable H., born 11 13 1881, died 2 28 1953, Sec A, Lot 5, Row 2.