The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-02-21
Dr.A.0.Bjelland Dead;
Cause, Heart Trouble
From Fridays Uaily.

DIR. A. O. Bjcllana, one Of the
most prominent physicians and sur
geons in Maukato, died this morning
after an illness Of three weeks with
pneumonia and heart trouble. He I'M
proved after being i'll with pneu-
monia and until the first of this
week seemed to be gaining very
nicely. DIR. Mark White of the Min
uesota university was here in consul
tation Tuesday and hoped for recov-
cry was abandoned after that. He
then suffered 4 relapse aud heart
trouble set in. which resulted in his
death at his residence. G2S South
Second street at seven O'Clock.
DIR. Bjclland was born in Albert
Lea in 1870. He spent his boyhood
there and was married to Miss Hen
rietta Yates of that city in Decem-
Der. 1898.
DIR. Bjelland graduated from the
Albert Lea high school and then
took the medical course at the Uni
verSity of Minnesota. from which he
graduated in 1896. He then spent a
short time as physician in the Sol
dicrS' Home in Ohio, and later as
sisted DR. Wedge in the lattcr'S Of
fee in Albert Lea. In July, 1897,
he came to Mankato and practiced
here continuously since that time.
Member of Many Organizations
He was q member of the Blue
Earth County Medical association, the
Southern Minnesota Medical associa-
tion. the State Medical association
and the American Medical associa-
ton. He was district organizer OF
the latter association in this district.
He was also surgeon for the North.
western railway in Mankato: also ii
member of the United States pension
examining board.
DIR. Bjelland was member OF SUI
pcrior Lodge No. ). Degree of Honor,
and carried a $50 funeral fund in
that lodge. He was also a member
Of Evergreen Colony No. AS. and car
ried $1,000 in the Beavers reserve
fund. Members of both lodges will
attend his funeral in a body. He was
also member of the Elks. Macca-
boes and Modern Samaritans.
Handled Typhoid Epidemic.
During the typhoid epidemic in
Maukato in 1908 DR.. Bjelland held
the position of health officer aud the
short duration OF the epidemic and
the small number of deaths was the
result of his intelligent handling Of
the situation. He devoted himself
10 the work of suppressing The cpl
dcmic and worked against great diff
ficuiticS as he did not have the sup
port he should have had. He handled
the situation mcthodically. SyStemat.
ically and couragcOusly. During that
time he made a chart of The city
showing all of the city streets and
the city lots, and marked each place
where there was case Of the fever,
ana each place where there was a
death. His work at that time made
the entire city indebted to him in a
measure which they will never be
able 10 repay. Medical Journals
throughout the country gave the doc
tor great praise for the untirinS SER
vice he performed under the circun.
stances.
First Attacked With Grip.
\ few weeks ago DR.. Bjelland suf-
fered an attack of the grip. but he
attended to his practice until he be-
came so worn ont that he was com
PEELED to take TO his bed. Then
pneumonia developed and he was
corliued TO his bed for a number of
days. Then he felt stronger and got
up for a day. He suffered relapse
and following the attack OF pneumonia
there developed inflammation of the
pericardium-or heart sack. This
was followed by acute diliation OF
the heart and the end came this
morning.
DIR. \. F.. Schmitt was at DR.. Bjel-
lands bedside when death entered
in. The last words spoken by DR..
Hjclland were: 81 am feeling bet
ter" 4 few moments later he rails
cd his head and said he wanted to
vomit, and fell back dead. At no
time was DR.. Bielland unconscious.
Enjoyed Large Practice.
In the practice OF his profession he
was very successful and he was quick
10 gain the confidence Of his patients.
Dr. Bjelland is survived by his
wife, two children. Paul aud Harriet
and one sister. Mrs. John Skinner of
Albert Lea.
DIR. Bjelland was devoted to his
family, and excellent citizen. He ad-
bered strictly 10 the ethics of his
profession and upheld its ideals.
The funeral will be held from the
house on Monday afternoon at two
o'clock. The Mankato physicians will
have charge of the service and the
pallbearers will be chosen from among
their number. Rev. T. r. Paden will
be the officiating clergyman.
For four and half days John
Roberts lay in an unconscious condi-
ton after being struck by the switch
engine Oil Monday evening, February
), until Saturday morning at $50 ne
passed to the great beyond. never
recognizing anyone, says The Sleepy
Eye Herald. The funeral took place
at the German Methodist Episcopal
church Tuesday afternoon, February
II, Rev. John Schneider conducting
the funeral t
Deceased was the son of Mr.. and
Mrs. Mat Roberts. He was born in
Mankato on November 29, 1888 and
came to Sleepy Eye with his
parents in 1891. For the past ST,
and half years he was employed
on the farm Of Robert Hoppe. Leav
enworth, who states that John was
a bard working, sober and industri
Gus young man. A better helper an(
a more faithful worker no man evei
li"d on his farm, says Mr.. Hoppe. Or
Monday of the fatal day. the youne
man left the farm, which is five ant