Flatland, Ole A. 1894 - 1913

FLATLAND

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/7/2024 at 10:33:05

Source: Decorah Republican June 5, 1913 P3 C4

LUTHER STUDENT DROWNS.
Ole A. Flatland Loses Life While in Swimming in Upper Iowa River.
Again has the Upper Iowa river taken the toll of death of another Luther College student. Last Thursday afternoon the weather was so warm that the lure of the swimming hole became strong and a number of students,--some six or eight,--went down to the river back of the college to bathe. Among the number was Ole A. Flatland, who lived with his parents out near Ridgeway. The boys went into the cold water and young Flatland, who could not swim, soon got beyond his depth and began to sink. His cries alarmed his companions and several went to his rescue but so violent were his struggles they could do nothing towards getting him out. The water at this point is between fifteen and twenty feet deep. One of the young men who went to the rescue was o{sic} nearly overcome that it was with difficulty that he was saved. Word was sent over town and it soon became noised around. John Blaess, who was at the city hall, started at once to get the grappling hooks that are kept there for the purpose of rescuing drowning persons but was unable to find them, they having been removed. Mr. Blaess arrived at the scene about twenty minutes after the boy went down. Drs. Thomas, Woodward, Stabo and Barfoot immediately responded to a call for physicians. Other people arrived and with boats a search for the body began. After about fifty minutes the body was located nearly fifty feel below where Flatland sank. The doctors worked for nearly an hour to resuscitate the boy but their efforts were of no avail. Word was sent to the parents and the father came to Decorah at once. The remains were taken to the family home Friday. Just before noon, services were held at Luther College, and the remains were escorted by the faculty and student body with the band at their head, as far as the city line.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he was born Jan 19, 1894 and died May 29, 1913. He is buried in the Lincoln Cemetery.

Lincoln Lutheran Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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