Iowa Old Press

Postville Review
Postville, Allamakee co. Iowa
February 10, 1875

FATAL ACCIDENT
A Man Killed by a Falling Tree in Paint Creek Township.
From The Mirror: On Wednesday of last week, Herman Thorson, a worthy citizen of Paint Creek Township, residing one mile South-East of Waterville, lost his life, the result of an accident. The particulars, as kindly furnished us by Mr. Bryson, are as follows: He left his home late in the morning to cut down some timber in the woods, telling his wife he would come home early for dinner, as he intended to haul a log to the saw mill, but as he did not come at the appointed time his oldest son, a lad about fourteen years old, was sent for him, and found him lying on the ground, bleeding at the mouth but still alive. The boy was not able to help his father, nor remove him, so he gave the alarm. Two of the neighbors were soon at the spot, and found him still alive, his hands and feet cold and stiff and his face black and swollen. This was about one o'clock.

It seems he had cut down a hickory tree, and it is supposed that in falling a limb broke off the tree it hung to, and struck him in the left eye, probably piercing it. They took him home and sent for Dr. Drake of Rossville but Thorson died in half an hour after reaching home, and a messenger was dispatched to stop the Dr., so he was not closely examined, and the real cause of his death remains a mystery.

He was buried on the 30th ult. (sic). He was an honest, hard working, industrious man, and had just bought a small farm, paying one third on it down and was trying to clear a piece more for breaking. He came to this
country five years ago from Norway, and we expected him to make an honorable and worthy citizen. He leaves a wife and five children; the oldest fourteen years, the youngest four weeks. He was about 40 years of age.

[transcribed by M.D., November 2006]

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Postville Review
Postville, Allamakee co. Iowa
February 17, 1875

Died -- At his residence northwest of Postville, February 3d, 1875 John S. HAWKINS, aged 59 years...Mr. HAWKINS born in New Hampshire in 1815, settled in Iowa with his family in 1860, where he remained until his death.....Died with disease of the heart, was sick but short time.....left to mourn a wife
and 4 children.

[transcribed by M.D., December 2004]

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Postville Review
Postville, Allamakee co. IA
February 24, 1875

Died. - On the 18th of February 1875 of Pneumonia, and abscess on the lungs, George, aged 2 years, one month, only child of Henry and Viola HUNTER of Grand Meadow township [Clayton co.].

Died. - At Stafford Springs, Ct Jan. 27th, Charlott STADLY aged 83 years, mother of Mrs. Edwin TOPLIFF of this place.

[transcribed by M.D., January 2005]

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