Iowa
Old Press
Maquoketa Excelsior
Maquoketa, Jackson co. Iowa
June 11, 1887
FRIGHTFUL CALAMITY
Two homes made desolate by the drowning of five boys in the
Maquoketa River last Sunday:
The scene of this horrible accident is a point on the Maquoketa
River about seven miles below this city. Last Sunday afternoon
six boys met here to take a bath. Although these boys could swim,
it was not an unusual thing for them to go into the river for a
bath, but this time they got beyond their depth and into a sort
of whirlpool. The four younger boys went in first and had been in
but a short time before their frantic cries for help brought
their other two to their assistance. But their efforts were
unavailing. One of these two lost his own life trying to save the
others; the other succeeded in only saving himself. He was
careful not to get to
where he could not touch bottom, but went as far as he could and
then as he could accomplish nothing he screamed with all his
might for help. But no help was near, and he was obliged to
witness the drowning struggles of his two brothers and their
three companions without being able to render them the least
assistance. The parents, honest German families, living near the
east line of Maquoketa township, were nearly crazed with grief
when they heard of the sad catastrophe.
Three of the boys were named Jacob, Conrad and Chris Beck, and
were aged 11, 14 and 16 respectively. The other two lost boys
were Geo. and Paul Handel and were aged 10 and 12 years
respectively. The eldest Handel boy escaped. Three of the bodies
were recovered Monday, the other two not until Tuesday.
All were buried Thursday afternoon in the cemetery at Union
Center. Rev. Schmidt of the German church in this city preached
the funeral sermon. The attendance at the funeral was very large.
No such frightful event has taken place in this county for many
years.
[transcribed by L.Z., November 2006]
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Bellevue Leader
Bellevue, Jackson County, Iowa
June 23, 1887
DEATH ON THE RAIL
Conductor A. W. Weber Run Over
As freight train No. 18 was running between the two McGregors, a
little before noon, last Saturday, Conductor Weber wishing to
switch some cars, climbed from the top of a coal car, down the
car ladder to the narrow platform to pull the link pin so he
could detach the hind part of the train without stopping. He
pulled the pin all right but some how lost his balance and fell
from the platform on the track, when fifteen cars ran over him.
He was picked up and physicians sent for who found that his two
legs and one arm were horribly mangled and crushed and almost
severed from the body. They also found that he had suffered
serious internal injuries. They, with one accord, pronounced his
case a hopeless one from the first. The injured man was
conscious, knew he must die, his thoughts naturally enough
wandering towards his wife and children. His voice was full of
tears when he expressed the dear wish to see them once more and
for the last time. About 3 o’clock he became unconscious,
and death came to his relief at half past four. His remains were
placed on the passenger train that reaches Bellevue from the
north at midnight. Messers Reiling, Murphy and Christ Weber,
Father-in-law, brother-in-law and brother of the deceased went to
Dubuque to receive the remains and escort them to Bellevue, where
they arrived at midnight. The wife, children and other friends
came down from Bellevue with the bereaved family. The remains
were placed in the hearse at the depot, and the mournful midnight
funeral procession slowly wended its way to the residence of Mr.
A. Reiling, where the body was kept until Monday at 10
o’clock, when it was removed to St. Joseph’s Church,
where the funeral obsequies took place under the direction of
Rev. Father Bies, assisted by Fathers Knapstein of Springbrook,
Knoepple of Spruce Creek and McCormack and Bauman of Dubuque.
After the impressive ceremonies the remains were interred in the
Catholic Cemetery.
[transcribed by K.W., June 2009]