Gerhard Bakkum's Death

BAKKUM

Posted By: Deidre Badker (email)
Date: 6/11/2006 at 08:15:23

GERHARD BAKKUM'S DEATH AT OSAGE,IOWA IS RULED ACCIDENTAL

Osage, Iowa: A coroner's jury here late Sunday afternoon returned a verdict that the death of Gerhard J. Bakkum, 30, of Mitchell, IA early Sunday, April 23, was caused by injuries suffered in an accidental fall from a balcony of a building housing the Lashbrook drug store at Main and Seventh streets.

Coroner G. E. Krepelka reported that Bakkum's head was crushed and his knees skinned.

State Agent Max Studer, who had been assisting local officers in an investigation of the case during last week, said Bakkum had been drinking heavily and that an autopsy showed an alcoholic content of more than twice the amount needed for intoxication.

Studer said that Bakkum, a large man, over six feet tall, apparently fell asleep on the balcony and waking later, stumbled as he groped about for the stairway and fell over the railing.

The coroner's jury was composed of Ed Mason, foreman; Elmer Swanson and I. Saline.

(from a St. Ansgar, IA newspaper, 1930's)