Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-07-02
SANFORD, COLO.
TRAGIC DEATH OF
LARS A. M0RTENSeN

SANFORD. Colo. June .s-This com
munity is iu mourning over the sudden
death OF one Of its most beloved neigh
bors and respected citizens. pioneer
and hand-cart veteran. Elder Lars a.
Mortenscn.
Monday, June e, he WAS working In the
hayhcld but failed to return home at the
usual time. His wife became greatly wor.
riod over the delay and finally, about .
| pm. became convinced that something
r. rt0usy had happened TO him. Accord
ingly, two Of her sons went TO look foi
him. Upon searching through the field
with lanterns for some time they found
his hat and broken hay rake, and fnal-
~ discovered their father lying on his
back dead. his fucc and body somewhat
mutilated Investigation goes to show
that the tongue Of the rake. which was
partly fastened on with wire had came
loose. the horses had suddenly dashed
sideways and Nh MortcnHen was thrown
from his seat ana dragged under the
rake. a tooth of the machine had passed
through his eye into his brain. The ac-
Cidout must have occurred about or
shortly after shutdown, as he had been
seen at work W 20 that time.
The deceased was born uu the Island Of
Muen, Denmark. July 8. 1852 Ills father.
Peter Mortcuseu. and the entire family,
embraced the gospel while Lars was stnl
boy sold their farm and emigruted 20
America. When they reached Iowa they
had means enough Co have ntted out an
excellent OK team and wagon, but just
az that time tho hand-cart companies
were starting and the NOrtensou family.
obediaut 10 counsel. Willingly sacrificed
their property for the common lot and
shared with the rest IN the hand-cart
companies
They Joined one Of what has become
known in history as the two Inflated
companies Of 1886 All Of the Mortensen
family were spared iu fulnlment OF
promise made them before leaving Dem
mark From this little family OF nine
the posterity now numbers between ~
and 500 an Of whom are faithful mem
beers OF the Church.
After reaching Salt Lake city the Nor.
Jensen family moved Immediately 20 par
owan and there settled
In 1865 Lars responded to a call to re-
turn 20 Missouri TO relieve the emf
grants. lie lott HIS father on his dying
bed as he only survived his SONS depaT-
ture four days. In December. 1861 he
married Cornelia Decker Ho become "a
prosperous and respected citizen IN Par
owan, being honorcd with many public
trusts and offices. among them sunday
school superintendent member Of tho
bishoprlC ana high council. He moved
with hts family to tho san Luis valley
Colorado, In 1856. becoming one Of the
pioneers Of sanford In his new home he
continued his active Church iabors and
was made sunday school superintendent
IN which capacity he acted for - years
council until his death In Parowan
under the tutorugc Of Alfred Durham he
made q study or music and was very
gifted In this art lie has held the post
lions Of stake and ward chorister, band
and orchestra leader. the latter up 10
the time OF hs death. always being u
way lie composed nearly Hr' an "' The Sand band
and dance music and arranged and copied
the hymns that were used here before
printed music could be had
lie was universally beloved FOR HIS
nmiable disposition and kindly attitude
towards all. aud also for hts honesty
he Is survived by II children and ~
grandchildren.