Arneson, Henry A. – Died 1900

ARNESON

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:38

Source: Decorah Republican July 12, 1900 P 2 C 2

GROUND TO PIECES.
Henry A. Arneson, a Highland Township Man meets Death Under the Car Wheels.
Last Friday morning, Dr. P. M. Jewell was called to Calmar to hold an inquest upon the remains of a man who had been killed by the cars a short distance east of town. When he arrived there he found an unrecognizable mass of flesh and bones, the head being about as large as any single part. The remains were found by section foreman Carl Jordan and his crew, who sent word to town. A switch engine and crew and Dr. Heflen came out, gathered up the remains and took them to Calmar. Here, after his arrival, Coroner Jewell empannelled a jury composed of O. P. Ode, Joseph Koch and A. G Olson, A. McRobert acting as clerk. It took some time to gather the evidence, but from papers found in the dead man’s clothes, it was disclosed that his name was Henry A. Arneson, that he was a man of some education, small memorandum books containing items of expenditures, etc., and a Winnesheik Co. Bank book, showed that he had once a deposit of $100 in the bank here. This led to other evidence to the effect that he had been in Calmar for a couple of days and had been trying to secure work. He said if he failed in that he was going east. He was last seen about 8:30 o’clock Thursday night, and it is supposed he attempted to steel a ride on the truck of the east bound night passenger, that he fell under the wheels and was killed. Subsequent trains, east and west, may have struck the body and assisted in the mangling. Dr. Jewell ordered the remains placed in a coffin and held until he could make some inquiries here concerning the dead man. He found that Arneson was a cousin of O. T. Arneson, of the Lutheran Publishing House, and that his family resided in Highland township. The remains were brought to Decorah, and Sunday were taken to Arneson’s home for burial.