Newspaper Articles from April 1908
Official Directory
Town Officers
15 Apr 1908 (Newspaper unknown, probably Wheatland's)
| Mayor | C. F. Jeppe |
| Clerk | Edward Ba?ster |
| Treasurer | Edw Guenther |
| Marshal | } J. F. Schadt |
| Street Commissioner | |
| Assessor | J. Kanzmeier |
| Councilmen-- E. T. Tinker, Louis Schneider, Henry Banderob, Herman Muhl, Ira Willey, Jos. Steiner |
|
STANDING COMMITTEES |
|
| Fire and Water | H. Banderob Herman Muhl L. Schneider |
| Finance | Joe Steiner E. T. Tinker H. Banderob |
| Printing | Jos. Steiner E. T. Tinker Ira Willey |
| Streets and Alleys | Ira Willey Herman Muhl L. Schneider |
| Pub. Buildings & Grounds | Jos. Steiner H. Banderob Herman Muhl |
BAD FREIGHT WRECK
April 23, 1908 (Newspaper unknown, probably Wheatland's)
Shortly after 7 o’clock Thursday evening, an eastbound freight train on the North-Western went through what is known as Hanson’s bridge, about half way between Grand Mound and DeWitt. That afternoon a terrific wind and rain storm visited that vicinity, and the rising water played havoc with the supposed sound foundations of the bridges in that neighborhood. The train was a fast one and was going about forty miles an hour when it went through Grand Mound.
About two miles east of Grand Mound the train struck a small bridge, which must have immediately went down. A half mile further on, the train was crossing Hanson’s bridge, and engine and two cars were across when without any warning, the bridge collapsed, and seventeen cars of cattle and hogs were precipitated into the creek which had then become a deep turbulent stream. The engine left the rails and Engineer J. Walter Baxter and Fireman Herbert D. Seymour, of Clinton, were buried in the engine cab and scalded to death. Brakeman John Doherty, also of Clinton, was riding the top about fifteen cars back from the engine, and he was hurled into the wreckage at the bottom of the creek. At the time he was rendered unconscious, but on regaining consciousness, he discovered that he was fastened securely, with no chance for help by the rescuing party. Pluck and grit, despite his severe injuries, aided him to get his jack knife from his pocket and cut his clothing away. Then he crawled from the wreck and the water which had risen until he nearly drowned. Drs. Jordan and Keith, of Grand Mound, were there and gave him prompt medical attendance.
Brakeman Burroughs was in the rest of the train which was left uninjured, and he immediately went to Grand Mound to summon assistance being obliged to cross the other creek in a single rail, swaying above the flood. His timely arrival at Grand Mound prevented another train from meeting the same fate.
One peculiar incident was the fact that the Clinton wrecker was in the wrecked train, being left between the two bridges, but unable to get to work on the bridge until a crossover was built Friday.
Dr. Jerry Wolfe, the veterinarian, and crew of men were busy Thursday night and all the time the wreck was being cleared up, rescuing livestock and killing the wounded.
The scene of the wreck was visited by hundreds of people the two days following. Passengers were transferred between DeWitt and Grand Mound, while the clearing of the wreck was under way.