Iowa
Old Press
Marathon area newspaper (possibly the Marathon Republic)
Buena Vista co. Iowa
April 11, 1940
7300 Volt Charge From Electric Farm Line — Funeral
and Burial at Sioux Rapids Monday — Brother of George Wilbur
William Horace Wilbur, of Pocahontas, brother of George
Wilbur of this place, was killed last Friday afternoon about
4:30, when a charge of 7300 volts of electricity went through his
body to the ground.
The accident took place on the highway near the O. B. Jorgenson
farm, southwest of Marathon, where Mr. Wilbur, in company with
two other men were engaged in unloading a drag-line machine,
which we understand was to be used in cleaning out the drainage
ditch which runs through the country southwest of town.
The machine was loaded on a truck trailer and the men were
unloading same. The operator had raised the long boom into the
air and was raising the big shovel off the truck on which it had
been loaded. As the weight of the shovel was placed on the cable,
it caused the boom to swing to one side and it came in contact
momentarily with the REA electric line, which carries 7300 volts.
The electricity came down the steel cable to the truck, upon
which Mr. Wilbur was working on the stripped gears, and as he was
standing on the ground the charge left the truck and went to the
ground through his body, burning him on one hand and on one foot
where the charge left his body.
Clarence Osweiler of Pocahontas, who was standing with his hand
on the truck door at the time was knocked to the ground after
having been quite badly burned on his hand. However, he was not
seriously injured.
Leo Collins of Pocahontas, who was operating the boom at the
time, stated that he had swung the boom above the electric line
and had plenty of clearance until the weight of the shovel caused
the machine to tip and swing the cable against the line
momentarily. He saw Mr. Osweiler drop to the ground and
immediately stopped the machine to see what was wrong. Collins,
being on the machine and not in contact with the ground did not
receive a shock.
The two men were rushed to Dr. Theberge’s office here in
Marathon, and it was found that Mr. Wilbur had been killed
instantly. The burns of Mr. Osweiler were treated and he was able
to return to his home.
A coroner’s inquest was held Saturday morning at the Nelson
undertaking parlors, with County Coroner Taylor in charge and W.
R. Ritchie, James Thomas and Asa Roderick serving as the jury.
County Attorney Z. Z. White conducted the questioning and the
jury returned a verdict of “accidental death.”
Funeral services were held for Mr. Wilbur on Monday afternoon at
the home of Mrs. Ida Peterson and at the Methodist church in
Sioux Rapids, and burial was made in the Lone Tree Cemetery at
that place.
Obituary:
Funeral services for William Horace Wilbur were held at the home
of Mrs. Ida Peterson near Marathon Monday afternoon at 2
o’clock and also at the Methodist church in Sioux Rapids at
2:30. Rev. B. M. Watson officiated. A quartet composed of I. M.
Powell, D. A. McConnell, C. F. Kischer and Robert Anderson of
Linn Grove, furnished music.
William Horace Wilbur was born at Minden, Neb., June 2, 1892. He
died Friday, April 5th, 1940. On July 26, 1914, he was united in
marriage to Flossie Elma Blair at Webb. Three children were born
to this union: Elma Viola of Spencer, Iowa; Helen Dorothy, of
Linn Grove; and Orval of Waterloo. Mrs. Flossie Wilbur died
August 19, 1927. On November 30, 1929, he was united in marriage
to Miss Lyle Peterson, of Marathon, at Clarinda, Iowa. One child
was born to this union, Charlotte Jane.
Mr. Wilbur leaves to mourn his death his wife and 1 year old
daughter; four sisters, Mrs. Viola E. Johnson, Linn Grove; Mrs.
Mary McKinstry, St. Ignace, Mich.; Mable Parks, Superior, Iowa;
and five brothers, Ruben W., of New Richmond, Wis.; George E. of
Marathon; John W., of Laurens; Alva Ray, Spencer; and Gilbert R.,
of Sioux Rapids.
[transcribed by L.Z., October 2014]