NORRIS, Anna D. (1890-1921)

NORRIS

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes (email)
Date: 7/12/2008 at 17:30:54

Tama (IA) Herald; June 16, 1921

FATAL ACCIDENT FOLLOWS RUNAWAY
Mrs. Elmer Norris Killed Sunday Evening While Driving With Her Family.
Anna Dora Kautz Norris
A shocking accident in which a young Columbia township matron, Mrs. Elmer Norris, lost her life, occurred Sunday evening shortly before 7 o'clock at a point two miles south of Tama.

Mr. and Mrs. Norris and two of their little children, Charles and Floyd, had spent the day at the home of a sister of Mrs. Norris, Mrs. Clifford Bidwell, and at the time of the fatal accident were driving home. After passing the home of F.O. Hunnicutt, south of Tama, and while going eastward down the hill south of the Hunnicutt home a bolt came out of the buggy in which they were riding permitting the shaft to come down on one side. The vehicle ran against the horse they were driving and the animal ran away. Mr. Norris was first thrown from the buggy. A little later one of the children seemed about to be falling out and the mother bent over to keep it in the buggy. At that instant the vehicle struck one side of the cement bridge at the foot of the hill and Mrs. Norris was thrown violently against the abutment with the result that her neck was broken. Death ensued in a few minutes.

Physicians were immediately summoned from Tama. Dr. H.C. Woods being first to arrive. He saw that the victim of the accident was past human aid and was forced to be content with aiding one of the little children which had been slightly injured. Drs. W.E. Carpenter and Benj. Thompson were also at the scene of the accident a little later.

The body of the young mother was brought to town and prepared for burial at the Harrison-Belknap undertaking rooms.

The funeral services were conducted Tuesday ( ? ) noon, June 14, by Rev. O.C. ( ?? ), pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, services being held at 1:30 at the home of Fred Schultz and later at the church, and both being largely attended. Interment was in Maple Grove cemetery.

Mrs. Norris, whose maiden name was Anna Kautz was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kautz and was born in Chicago, Ill., Sept. 4, 1890. In that city she was baptized in the Lutheran church and in her youth was comfirmed in St. John's Lutheran church in Columbia township. She was married to Elmer Norris March 5, 1913. She died at the age of 30 years, 9 months and 8 days.

She leaves to mourn her husband, three children, Viola, Charles and Floyd, the youngest only 18 months old, her father Henry Kautz, and six sisters, Mrs. Fred Schultz, Mrs. Fred Sieck, Mrs. William Schultz, Mrs. George Beadle, Mrs. Clifford Bidwell, all of Tama county, and Mrs. Ned Norris of Sheridan township Poweshiek county.

All of the surviving relatives were present at the funeral except Mrs. Sieck, who was unable to do so on account of the illness of her husband. Those who attended the funeral from a distance were Mrs. Dora Koenig of Chicago; Mrs. Zealous Mergele, of Manning; Earl Smith, of Marshalltown; Mr. and Mrs. William Muckler, of Toledo; and Mr. and Mrs. Clint Norris, of Eagle Grove.