Severson, Albert 1876 - 1902

SEVERSON

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/18/2020 at 15:04:32

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Aug. 29, 1902, FP, C5

The Decorah Journal gives an account of a terrible accident which befell Albert Severson, a young business man of that city last Friday evening. With a friend, Frank McMasters, he had gone to Ossian Thursday night to attend the street fair Friday, and about six o’clock Friday evening attempted to board the Mason City and McGregor accommodation to Calmar at the street crossing a little west of the depot, the train being in rapid motion at the time. The young man jumped and grasped the iron railing on the front of the last coach, but owing to the great speed of the train he lost his hold and was dashed to the ground under the wheels. His left arm near the shoulder and the lower part of the left leg were crushed horribly, and the side of his head and side of his body were also mangled, and it was thought there were internal injuries also. He was removed from the track to the office of Dr. Mackin where with some assistance the left arm and left leg just above the ankle were amputated. It was at first thought he would recover, but owing to the suspected internal injury death came about three o’clock the next morning. The young man was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Severson of Decorah, and a universal favorite with the people there.

Transcriber’s Note: Phelps Cemetery records show he is buried there. He was born December 15, 1876 and died August 23, 1902.

Source: Decorah Republican Aug. 28, 1902 Page 4 Col 2

UNDER THE CARS.
Albert Severson Mangled by Milwaukee Train at Ossian
AND LIVES BUT A FEW HOURS.
Death Thought to be the Result of Internal Injuries more than Anything Else.
Albert Severson, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew M. Severson was run over by the Mason City accommodation train (the Milwaukee company’s No. 71} at Ossian last Friday evening, and died between the hours of three and four Saturday morning
While there were many from Decorah in attendance at the Ossian street fair, and several who were standing near by when the accident occurred, we have been unable to find one who actually saw the accident or could give exact details. Perhaps no one can better describe it than Frank McMasters, who stood talking to Albert just before the accident occurred. They were near the railroad track and about two blocks west from the depot, and the train was passing Albert had expressed a desire to be at home to look after his restaurant and pool room in the Central block, for the Saturday trade, and said he thought he would jump on the train and go to Calmar. Frank cautioned him against it and turned away to speak to someone else. During the time his head was averted, Albert made the attempt and when Frank saw him again he was lying beside the track, his left arm crushed near the elbow and his left leg cut off at the ankle. He had evidently miscalculated the speed of the train and was thrown under the wheels.
Medical attendance was summoned at once, and Drs. Mackin, Geist and Wells amputated the arm at the shoulder and the leg just below the knee, but it was neither of these injuries that they feared most. A deep depression in one side showed where Albert had received internal injuries and it was from this that they thought death resulted.
The news of the accident was conveyed to his parents here, and they with his brother Henry and sister Mabel, drove to Ossian, arriving in time to see him alive.
The remains were brought to Decorah, Saturday, and the funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at the house, the Elks, of which order he was a member, taking charge of the service.
Albert was born in Decorah, Dec. 15th, 1876, and has always lived here. He was a young man of pleasant ad¬dress, and among his associates was well liked. The family have the sympathy of the whole community in their affliction.

Phelps Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen