Isacsson, Carl – Died 1909

ISACSSON, ISAACSON

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:47

Source: Decorah Republican Jan. 7, 1909, P2 C2

UNDER THE CAR WHEELS!
CARL ISAACSON RUN OVER BY THE MILWAUKEE TRAIN ON MONDAY NIGHT.
DEATH RELIEVES SUFFERING TUESDAY
Deceased Had Bid Good Bye to Some Friends and Slipped in Jumping from Train—Was Member of Decorah Posten Force.
Monday evening Carl Isaacson, foreman of the Decorah-Posten composing room, fell under the wheels of the outgoing late train at the C., M. & St. P. depot, and sustained injuries from which death resulted just before one o’clock Tuesday noon.
Just how the accident happened may not be known. The report that comes to us, and it is the one that is generally accepted, is to the effect that Carl had gone to the depot with some friends who were going out on the 11:20 passenger. He accompanied them into the coach and was bidding them good bye when the train started to back out of the station. Alighting hastily, his feet slipped and he fell under the train, the wheels passing over his left leg and crushing it above the ankle.
From all accounts Carl was saved from instant death by Nightwatch E. T. Reed who was standing near by and grabbed his arm and pulled the upper part of his body out from under the car, else the wheels would have passed over his chest in a diagonal line.
Carl was carried into the depot and then over to Mrs. Kemps rooms over Elby’s grocery where Dr. Daubney attended him. He found the leg so badly crushed that it was almost severed and amputation was necessary. The wound was dressed as well as possible, but on account of the injured man’s weakness from loss of blood it was considered unsafe to administer anesthetics.
Tuesday morning Dr. Stabo, and Dr. Heflin of Calmer, were called into consultation It was their decision that a second amputation would be necessary in case Carl lived but his condition was such that his recovery was looked upon with grave doubt. Their fears were well founded, for death stepped in just before one o’clock and relieved the afflicted one of the intense pain that he had borne from the minute the accident happened.
On every side there is deep regret over Carl’s untimely end. He has been a resident here almost continuously for seven years, and while that is a short space as time goes it was long enough for him to ingratiate himself with a wide circle of acquaintances and to win a place in the affections of his associated. As a printer he was capable, enjoying the confidence of his employer and the esteem of his fellow workmen in disposition he was cheerful—we may say particularly happy—courteous and obliging.
One of the sad features of this tragedy is that outside of his friends here the young man is practically alone in this country. One sister is supposed to reside in St. Louis, but all of his other relatives are in Norway, where the news of his death will be a severe shock.
His remains were taken Tuesday afternoon to the residence of C. L. Peck where Carl has made his home since coming to Decorah, and the funeral was held yesterday. Deceased was a member of the Hook and Ladder Company and the remains were taken in charge by his brother firemen. The services were conducted by Rev. O. E. Schmidt, with interment in the Norwegian cemetery.

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Jan. 22, 1909, 2, C4

Decorah Man Killed by Train.
Carl Isacsson, foreman of the Posten composing room, was fatally injured at the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul passenger station at Decorah and died the next day. Isacsson was in one of the coaches bidding friends goodby, when the train started. He jumped from the car and slipped and one leg went under the wheels, being amputated above the ankle. The shock and loss of blood caused the death.

Transcriber's Note: Isaacson is normal spelling of name.