Iowa Old Press
Alton Democrat
April 6, 1895
A terrible accident occurred to little Laura Swain, 10 years old. Laura was
visiting with her brother and sister who live 4 miles south of town and
intended to go home (at Merrill) on Saturday. On Thursday she was home
along when the manure around the cellar got on fire, she was going to put it
out by tramping on it but as soon as she stepped on it she fell into a big
hole full of fire, which set her clothing to burning. Then she ran out into
the field where the hired man was at work but when she got there the
clothing had burned from her body. It happened when she ran out into the
field that a livery team came by and the driver saw her clothes on fire and
drove after her in haste, but came too late. It was between 11 and 12
o’clock when this took place and death relieved her at 5 o’clock P. M. The
funeral took place Saturday and was attended by a large number of friends
and relatives. The fire was put out and the building saved.
REMSEN RIPPLES:
Nic Sonser, John Neisin’s hired man who was reported very sick last week,
died last Thursday night and was buried last Friday.
Alton Democrat, April 20, 1895.
Horrible Accident.
Last Tuesday evening about seven o'clock Herman Bohnekamp, a wealthy farmer residing five miles southeast of Alton, suffered an accident from the effects of which he died Thursday [April 18] at 2 o'clock a.m. He had been at Orange City on a land deal and returning to Alton, stopped and visited with friends whom he met. At 7 o'clock he untied his team of ponies, attempted to climb into his buggy, when the team made a jump and started to run. His foot slipped, became wedged between the spokes of the buggy wheel and Bohnekamp was thrown violently over the whippletree and before the team could be stopped his left leg, from the knee down, was torn from his body and he suffered other injuries. In order to detach him from the buggy the wheel had to be taken off and a most horrible sight it was. Blood flowed in streams from the wound and the leg hung loosely, held by the clothing. He was placed on a storm door, taken to the Gerla building, Dr. Smith was summoned and everything done to save his life. Wednesday morning Dr. Smith, assisted by two physicians from Orange City, amputated the leg above the wound, but he failed rapidly and died Thursday morning.
Henry Bohnekamp was 47 years of age, born in Dubuque county and resided there until eleven years ago, when he purchased land and removed to Sioux county. He was married in 1871 to Miss Henrietta Barents at New Vienna in Dubuque county. No children were born to the couple, but two years or so ago they adopted Carrie Schaul, a bright little girl 8 years of age, whose parents reside near Remsen. He was a member of the Catholic church, from which place his funeral occurs today (Friday) at 10 o'clock a.m.
Before his death Mr. Bohnekamp drew up his will, leaving his magnificent farm of 800 acres, Alton town property, and stocks, bonds and mortgages to his widow, excepting $3,000 which he wills to his adopted daughter when she reaches her majority. He was worth from $50,000 to $60,000.
The Noethes and a brother residing in Plymouth county are the only relatives in this part of Iowa.
The team which caused his death was very wild and he had been warned that they would, in time, cause his death, but he was fearless and always laughed at the warnings. Mr. Bohnekamp did not have an enemy in the world, unless it was himself. He was liberal, energetic, enterprising, an honest and hardworking man. He had but one fault, that of appetite, and his death is universally mourned by everybody in this part of the county. The afflicted wife, daughter and friends have the sympathy of all.
Alton Democrat
April 27, 1895
REMSEN RIPPLES:
The infant child of A. Hey was buried last Friday.