Morris DEMPLE

DEMPLE, RIGLER, HATTER

Posted By: Valorie Richards (email)
Date: 4/3/2005 at 14:01:41

(This accident occurred about 1880)
A Shocking Accident
A Citizen of Bonapart Crushed to Death Beneath a Log

On Saturday afternoon last a shocking and fatal accident occurred near F. and C. Rigler's about two miles west of Bonaparte. Morris Demple, cabinet maker and furniture dealer of Bonaparte, went to the timber to get a walnut log. Frank Hatter going along to drive the team and help load the timber. They got the log up on the wagon and Mr. Demple held one end of it there with a rope. While Hatter was prying up the other end, the rope broke or slipped from the end of the log, and it came crashing down toward the two men. Hatter escaped by jumping to one side. Demple attempted to get out of reach, but triped and fell flat on his back, the log rolling with crushing weight over his limbs and about one-third way over his body. He called out to be released from his terrible burden, but Hatter, although a powerful man, could not move it, and there was no help near. So he hitched the team to the log and dragged it off the unfortunate man. He raised Mr. Demple up and sat him beside a tree and ran for assistance. In a few minutes he returned with the Rigler brothers, but Mr. Demple was dead. His legs and body were crushed in a frightful manner. The remains were taken home about 5 o'clock that evening and laid out, but the funeral did not take place until Monday afternoon.

Mr. Demple was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1819, and was at the time of his death 61 years old. He came to Van Buren County in 1847. He commenced the furniture business, which he was reasonably successful, in 1866. He had accumulated some means, and last year, or the year before, built a nice residence. He was a strictly honorable man, and was universally respected. He leaves a nice family, who are sadly stricken by their loss.

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I am not related. This obituary was located at the Donnellson, Iowa library book "D", Van Buren County Obituaries.