Decatur Daily Democrat, Adams County, Indiana
Thursday, June 30, 1905
SAM DUTCHER KILLED
Met Instant Death In Runaway This Morning
NECK BROKEN
Team Hitched To Wagon Ran Away In Field
Mr. Dutcher Struck By Upright Ladder, Hurled From Rack, His Head Crushed
One of the most appalling accidents that has occurred in Adams county in recent years, happened this morning at 10:15 o'clock when Samuel L. Dutcher, one of the most respected citizens of the village of Monmouth, two and one-half miles north of this city, was instantly killed in a runaway. Mr. Dutcher, together with his little son, Alonzo, and a neighbor boy by the name of Kirt Fritzinger, went to his hay field early this morning to cut hay and haul it into the barn. The field was located just across the road west from Mr. Dutcher's home. Several loads had been cut, gathered up and hauled to the barn, and the team which he was driving, a beautiful team of iron grays of four year olds, had been performing like veterans. At ten o'clock, however, when the second load had been deposited in the barn and the return trip to the field was being made, the team took fright at a hay tedder and Mr. Dutcher seemingly lost control of the animals, and then went at a maddening pace over the field. Alonzo, the young son of Mr. Dutcher, was on the wagon at the time, and as the team neared the rear of the field the wagon struck a stump. The upright ladder in front on the hay rack fell back and struck Mr. Dutcher with an awful force full in the face and forehead. He was undoubtedly rendered unconscious by this blow and perhaps had received his death wound when struck. He sank to the floor of the hay rack, and as the team took a sudden turn, the wagon was upset and he was hurled ten feet in advance of the rack, which had fallen off when the wagon swerved. Alonzo in the meantime had jumped and after seeing the upright strike his father, hastened toward the house to tell his mother and sisters. Cal Kunkle, a neighbor, hurried over and at the first glance he saw that Mr. Dutcher was dead, and walked back across the field and stopped Mrs. Dutcher and the girls who were going to their father's assistance. Mr. Kunkle broke the news to the family as gently as possible and took them back to the house. He then telephoned to this city for Gay & Zwick and for Coroner John S. Falk, and these parties immediately hastened to the scene accompanied by a Democrat reporter, and an examination was taken of the remains. During the course of this examination it was found that Mr. Dutcher's neck has been broken and that the forehead was crushed in. A piece of bone the size of a dollar was knocked out over his right eye. The same blow that did this also knocked the right eye out of its socket. The remains were carefully removed and taken to the house, where they were prepared for the casket. Alonzo, the little son who was with his father, is about ten years of age, and is a bright little fellow. When asked concerning what he knew about the accident and what he saw, he told his pitiful story between sobs of bitter grief and a flood of tears. In part he stated: "Father and I were the only ones on the wagon when we started through the field. We had gone only about ten rods when the team took fright at the hay tedder. Father did all in his power to keep the team under control, but could do nothing. As we neared the back of the field the wagon struck a stump and it was at this time the upright ladder on the hay rack flew back, striking Papa full in the face. I jumped from the wagon, and as I did, the team turned, throwing the rack and Father to the ground. Papa was thrown a good deal further than the rack. I was so scared that I hurried back to the house to tell mamma and sisters, and met them coming to the field. We were met by Mr. Kunkle and the news of Papa's death told us that being the first I knew of his death. My only thought was that he was badly hurt." Without doubt from the extent of the injuries Mr. Dutcher received and the position he was found in by Mr. Kunkle, death was instantaneous and he never suffered any pain whatever, as his neck was broken by the first blow. When found by Mr. Kunkle he was lying on his stomach and face, apparently asleep, and when the undertakers arrived and he was turned he presented a ghastly appearance. The only injuries so far found, were about the head, which was in a terribly bruised and battered condition. Mr. Dutcher was fifty-five years of age, having been born and raised in Adams county. Eight years ago he moved to his present home, the Dorwin farm, where he has been following the vocation of a farmer. He was a hard working man and had made a success of life, and had just reached the point in his career where he was about to retire from the farm and live the remainder of his days in peace and quiet. He was beloved by all his neighbors and made many friends wherever he went, being well known in this city and surrounding towns. His family, which is composed of his wife, three daughters and two sons, are grief-stricken over the sudden affair, and are unable to understand the why this calamity should befall them. His son, John D., is at present at Bloomington attending school, and was today noon notified of his father's sudden death. The funeral arrangements have not been made, the family being too grief stricken to collect themselves for the details which will be announced tomorrow. The family is composed of Mrs. Dutcher, John D., Fannie, Blanch, Agnes and Alonzo. They have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community, and willing friends are comforting them.
Thursday, June 30, 1905
SAM DUTCHER KILLED
Met Instant Death In Runaway This Morning
NECK BROKEN
Team Hitched To Wagon Ran Away In Field
Mr. Dutcher Struck By Upright Ladder, Hurled From Rack, His Head Crushed
One of the most appalling accidents that has occurred in Adams county in recent years, happened this morning at 10:15 o'clock when Samuel L. Dutcher, one of the most respected citizens of the village of Monmouth, two and one-half miles north of this city, was instantly killed in a runaway. Mr. Dutcher, together with his little son, Alonzo, and a neighbor boy by the name of Kirt Fritzinger, went to his hay field early this morning to cut hay and haul it into the barn. The field was located just across the road west from Mr. Dutcher's home. Several loads had been cut, gathered up and hauled to the barn, and the team which he was driving, a beautiful team of iron grays of four year olds, had been performing like veterans. At ten o'clock, however, when the second load had been deposited in the barn and the return trip to the field was being made, the team took fright at a hay tedder and Mr. Dutcher seemingly lost control of the animals, and then went at a maddening pace over the field. Alonzo, the young son of Mr. Dutcher, was on the wagon at the time, and as the team neared the rear of the field the wagon struck a stump. The upright ladder in front on the hay rack fell back and struck Mr. Dutcher with an awful force full in the face and forehead. He was undoubtedly rendered unconscious by this blow and perhaps had received his death wound when struck. He sank to the floor of the hay rack, and as the team took a sudden turn, the wagon was upset and he was hurled ten feet in advance of the rack, which had fallen off when the wagon swerved. Alonzo in the meantime had jumped and after seeing the upright strike his father, hastened toward the house to tell his mother and sisters. Cal Kunkle, a neighbor, hurried over and at the first glance he saw that Mr. Dutcher was dead, and walked back across the field and stopped Mrs. Dutcher and the girls who were going to their father's assistance. Mr. Kunkle broke the news to the family as gently as possible and took them back to the house. He then telephoned to this city for Gay & Zwick and for Coroner John S. Falk, and these parties immediately hastened to the scene accompanied by a Democrat reporter, and an examination was taken of the remains. During the course of this examination it was found that Mr. Dutcher's neck has been broken and that the forehead was crushed in. A piece of bone the size of a dollar was knocked out over his right eye. The same blow that did this also knocked the right eye out of its socket. The remains were carefully removed and taken to the house, where they were prepared for the casket. Alonzo, the little son who was with his father, is about ten years of age, and is a bright little fellow. When asked concerning what he knew about the accident and what he saw, he told his pitiful story between sobs of bitter grief and a flood of tears. In part he stated: "Father and I were the only ones on the wagon when we started through the field. We had gone only about ten rods when the team took fright at the hay tedder. Father did all in his power to keep the team under control, but could do nothing. As we neared the back of the field the wagon struck a stump and it was at this time the upright ladder on the hay rack flew back, striking Papa full in the face. I jumped from the wagon, and as I did, the team turned, throwing the rack and Father to the ground. Papa was thrown a good deal further than the rack. I was so scared that I hurried back to the house to tell mamma and sisters, and met them coming to the field. We were met by Mr. Kunkle and the news of Papa's death told us that being the first I knew of his death. My only thought was that he was badly hurt." Without doubt from the extent of the injuries Mr. Dutcher received and the position he was found in by Mr. Kunkle, death was instantaneous and he never suffered any pain whatever, as his neck was broken by the first blow. When found by Mr. Kunkle he was lying on his stomach and face, apparently asleep, and when the undertakers arrived and he was turned he presented a ghastly appearance. The only injuries so far found, were about the head, which was in a terribly bruised and battered condition. Mr. Dutcher was fifty-five years of age, having been born and raised in Adams county. Eight years ago he moved to his present home, the Dorwin farm, where he has been following the vocation of a farmer. He was a hard working man and had made a success of life, and had just reached the point in his career where he was about to retire from the farm and live the remainder of his days in peace and quiet. He was beloved by all his neighbors and made many friends wherever he went, being well known in this city and surrounding towns. His family, which is composed of his wife, three daughters and two sons, are grief-stricken over the sudden affair, and are unable to understand the why this calamity should befall them. His son, John D., is at present at Bloomington attending school, and was today noon notified of his father's sudden death. The funeral arrangements have not been made, the family being too grief stricken to collect themselves for the details which will be announced tomorrow. The family is composed of Mrs. Dutcher, John D., Fannie, Blanch, Agnes and Alonzo. They have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community, and willing friends are comforting them.
Decatur Daily Democrat, Adams County, Indiana
Thursday, June 30, 1905
SAM DUTCHER KILLED
Met Instant Death In Runaway This Morning
NECK BROKEN
Team Hitched To Wagon Ran Away In Field
Mr. Dutcher Struck By Upright Ladder, Hurled From Rack, His Head Crushed
One of the most appalling accidents that has occurred in Adams county in recent years, happened this morning at 10:15 o'clock when Samuel L. Dutcher, one of the most respected citizens of the village of Monmouth, two and one-half miles north of this city, was instantly killed in a runaway. Mr. Dutcher, together with his little son, Alonzo, and a neighbor boy by the name of Kirt Fritzinger, went to his hay field early this morning to cut hay and haul it into the barn. The field was located just across the road west from Mr. Dutcher's home. Several loads had been cut, gathered up and hauled to the barn, and the team which he was driving, a beautiful team of iron grays of four year olds, had been performing like veterans. At ten o'clock, however, when the second load had been deposited in the barn and the return trip to the field was being made, the team took fright at a hay tedder and Mr. Dutcher seemingly lost control of the animals, and then went at a maddening pace over the field. Alonzo, the young son of Mr. Dutcher, was on the wagon at the time, and as the team neared the rear of the field the wagon struck a stump. The upright ladder in front on the hay rack fell back and struck Mr. Dutcher with an awful force full in the face and forehead. He was undoubtedly rendered unconscious by this blow and perhaps had received his death wound when struck. He sank to the floor of the hay rack, and as the team took a sudden turn, the wagon was upset and he was hurled ten feet in advance of the rack, which had fallen off when the wagon swerved. Alonzo in the meantime had jumped and after seeing the upright strike his father, hastened toward the house to tell his mother and sisters. Cal Kunkle, a neighbor, hurried over and at the first glance he saw that Mr. Dutcher was dead, and walked back across the field and stopped Mrs. Dutcher and the girls who were going to their father's assistance. Mr. Kunkle broke the news to the family as gently as possible and took them back to the house. He then telephoned to this city for Gay & Zwick and for Coroner John S. Falk, and these parties immediately hastened to the scene accompanied by a Democrat reporter, and an examination was taken of the remains. During the course of this examination it was found that Mr. Dutcher's neck has been broken and that the forehead was crushed in. A piece of bone the size of a dollar was knocked out over his right eye. The same blow that did this also knocked the right eye out of its socket. The remains were carefully removed and taken to the house, where they were prepared for the casket. Alonzo, the little son who was with his father, is about ten years of age, and is a bright little fellow. When asked concerning what he knew about the accident and what he saw, he told his pitiful story between sobs of bitter grief and a flood of tears. In part he stated: "Father and I were the only ones on the wagon when we started through the field. We had gone only about ten rods when the team took fright at the hay tedder. Father did all in his power to keep the team under control, but could do nothing. As we neared the back of the field the wagon struck a stump and it was at this time the upright ladder on the hay rack flew back, striking Papa full in the face. I jumped from the wagon, and as I did, the team turned, throwing the rack and Father to the ground. Papa was thrown a good deal further than the rack. I was so scared that I hurried back to the house to tell mamma and sisters, and met them coming to the field. We were met by Mr. Kunkle and the news of Papa's death told us that being the first I knew of his death. My only thought was that he was badly hurt." Without doubt from the extent of the injuries Mr. Dutcher received and the position he was found in by Mr. Kunkle, death was instantaneous and he never suffered any pain whatever, as his neck was broken by the first blow. When found by Mr. Kunkle he was lying on his stomach and face, apparently asleep, and when the undertakers arrived and he was turned he presented a ghastly appearance. The only injuries so far found, were about the head, which was in a terribly bruised and battered condition. Mr. Dutcher was fifty-five years of age, having been born and raised in Adams county. Eight years ago he moved to his present home, the Dorwin farm, where he has been following the vocation of a farmer. He was a hard working man and had made a success of life, and had just reached the point in his career where he was about to retire from the farm and live the remainder of his days in peace and quiet. He was beloved by all his neighbors and made many friends wherever he went, being well known in this city and surrounding towns. His family, which is composed of his wife, three daughters and two sons, are grief-stricken over the sudden affair, and are unable to understand the why this calamity should befall them. His son, John D., is at present at Bloomington attending school, and was today noon notified of his father's sudden death. The funeral arrangements have not been made, the family being too grief stricken to collect themselves for the details which will be announced tomorrow. The family is composed of Mrs. Dutcher, John D., Fannie, Blanch, Agnes and Alonzo. They have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community, and willing friends are comforting them.
Thursday, June 30, 1905
SAM DUTCHER KILLED
Met Instant Death In Runaway This Morning
NECK BROKEN
Team Hitched To Wagon Ran Away In Field
Mr. Dutcher Struck By Upright Ladder, Hurled From Rack, His Head Crushed
One of the most appalling accidents that has occurred in Adams county in recent years, happened this morning at 10:15 o'clock when Samuel L. Dutcher, one of the most respected citizens of the village of Monmouth, two and one-half miles north of this city, was instantly killed in a runaway. Mr. Dutcher, together with his little son, Alonzo, and a neighbor boy by the name of Kirt Fritzinger, went to his hay field early this morning to cut hay and haul it into the barn. The field was located just across the road west from Mr. Dutcher's home. Several loads had been cut, gathered up and hauled to the barn, and the team which he was driving, a beautiful team of iron grays of four year olds, had been performing like veterans. At ten o'clock, however, when the second load had been deposited in the barn and the return trip to the field was being made, the team took fright at a hay tedder and Mr. Dutcher seemingly lost control of the animals, and then went at a maddening pace over the field. Alonzo, the young son of Mr. Dutcher, was on the wagon at the time, and as the team neared the rear of the field the wagon struck a stump. The upright ladder in front on the hay rack fell back and struck Mr. Dutcher with an awful force full in the face and forehead. He was undoubtedly rendered unconscious by this blow and perhaps had received his death wound when struck. He sank to the floor of the hay rack, and as the team took a sudden turn, the wagon was upset and he was hurled ten feet in advance of the rack, which had fallen off when the wagon swerved. Alonzo in the meantime had jumped and after seeing the upright strike his father, hastened toward the house to tell his mother and sisters. Cal Kunkle, a neighbor, hurried over and at the first glance he saw that Mr. Dutcher was dead, and walked back across the field and stopped Mrs. Dutcher and the girls who were going to their father's assistance. Mr. Kunkle broke the news to the family as gently as possible and took them back to the house. He then telephoned to this city for Gay & Zwick and for Coroner John S. Falk, and these parties immediately hastened to the scene accompanied by a Democrat reporter, and an examination was taken of the remains. During the course of this examination it was found that Mr. Dutcher's neck has been broken and that the forehead was crushed in. A piece of bone the size of a dollar was knocked out over his right eye. The same blow that did this also knocked the right eye out of its socket. The remains were carefully removed and taken to the house, where they were prepared for the casket. Alonzo, the little son who was with his father, is about ten years of age, and is a bright little fellow. When asked concerning what he knew about the accident and what he saw, he told his pitiful story between sobs of bitter grief and a flood of tears. In part he stated: "Father and I were the only ones on the wagon when we started through the field. We had gone only about ten rods when the team took fright at the hay tedder. Father did all in his power to keep the team under control, but could do nothing. As we neared the back of the field the wagon struck a stump and it was at this time the upright ladder on the hay rack flew back, striking Papa full in the face. I jumped from the wagon, and as I did, the team turned, throwing the rack and Father to the ground. Papa was thrown a good deal further than the rack. I was so scared that I hurried back to the house to tell mamma and sisters, and met them coming to the field. We were met by Mr. Kunkle and the news of Papa's death told us that being the first I knew of his death. My only thought was that he was badly hurt." Without doubt from the extent of the injuries Mr. Dutcher received and the position he was found in by Mr. Kunkle, death was instantaneous and he never suffered any pain whatever, as his neck was broken by the first blow. When found by Mr. Kunkle he was lying on his stomach and face, apparently asleep, and when the undertakers arrived and he was turned he presented a ghastly appearance. The only injuries so far found, were about the head, which was in a terribly bruised and battered condition. Mr. Dutcher was fifty-five years of age, having been born and raised in Adams county. Eight years ago he moved to his present home, the Dorwin farm, where he has been following the vocation of a farmer. He was a hard working man and had made a success of life, and had just reached the point in his career where he was about to retire from the farm and live the remainder of his days in peace and quiet. He was beloved by all his neighbors and made many friends wherever he went, being well known in this city and surrounding towns. His family, which is composed of his wife, three daughters and two sons, are grief-stricken over the sudden affair, and are unable to understand the why this calamity should befall them. His son, John D., is at present at Bloomington attending school, and was today noon notified of his father's sudden death. The funeral arrangements have not been made, the family being too grief stricken to collect themselves for the details which will be announced tomorrow. The family is composed of Mrs. Dutcher, John D., Fannie, Blanch, Agnes and Alonzo. They have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community, and willing friends are comforting them.
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