Iowa Old Press
Fairfield Ledger
Fairfield, Jefferson, Iowa
February 6, 1878
This week again the LEDGER chronicles another of those accidents on the
road which resulted fatally to one of Jefferson County's good citizens. Thursday
last Jacob Messer who lives about eleven miles northeast of the city, started
for town with a load of wood in company with his cousin, each having a loaded
wagon. When near the Blakely farm, about eight miles from
town, Charles, who was ahead on the road, was startled by having the other team
come dashing up the road, frightened, and breaking the wagon to pieces. As soon
as possible he secured his horses and started back to look for his friend. He
found him a short distance back lying in the road bleeding profusely, his head
crushed and lacerated and life extinct. The body was
carried to a neighboring house and medical aid summoned, but of no avail--the
spirit had fled. It is the thought that by breaking some part of the wagon the
man was thrown under it, probably dragged some distance, and then, unable to
extricate himself, the wheels bearing their heavy load passed over his head,
crushing it and causing instant death. Mr. Messer was an industrious and thrifty
German citizen about 35 years of age living in Walnut Township, where he was
much respected. He leaves a wife and two children, we are informed in
comfortable circumstances. His body was interred in the Lutheran Cemetery near
Germanville on Saturday.