Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-10-28
Accidental Death Of E. L. Kimbau
and Drowning of Charlie
Fisher-Suicide of M.
Latta.
ACCIDENTS ON THE RAILROAD
Tragic Death of the 0'Briens-
Killed in the Pomeroy
Cyclone Of 1892.

From the History of Hamilton
County by F. G, and j. W. Lee: No.
vember 2, 1889, Edwin L. KimbalI,
a baggage and freight man at the
Illinois Central depot in Webster
City, while loading a crate of crock
cry, slipped and fell, the crate strik-
ing him on the head, killing him in
stantly. He was thirty-six years of
age, well known and highly respect
ed.
The tragic drowning of Charlie
Fisher, oldest son of c. E. F1sher,oc-
Cured June 2S, 1890, while he was
bathing in Boone river about eighty
rods below the Chase mill near Web
ster City. He got beyond his depth
and, as he could not swim, was ov-
ercome before help could arrive. The
body sank and, though every effort
was made to recover it, they were
unsuccessful. The alarm was given
and a large crowd of men searched
the river until nightfall. When dark
came on, efforts were suspended un-
til morning. Sunday morning sever
al hundred men resumed the search,
using every device that could be
thought of. About 1890 p. m. the
remains were discovered nearly two
miles down the river, and they were
recovered. Charlie Fisher was about
eighteen years Of age and was gen
eral favorite. His death was the
cause of general sadness through out
the community.
Robert Balm, a brakeman, fell be-
tween the cars and was killed near
Kamrar October 21, 1890. He was
the. son of r. Balm, of Webster City.
and, was twenty-six years of age
| November p, 1890, Anth ony
Lean county, Illinois, committed sui
eide in Webster City and was found
unconscious on the sidewalk about
$50 D. m. He had taken whisky
containing carbolic acid. He had
been having trouble with a man by
the name of Kerr in Illinois, and a
few days before he came here, he
and his enemy had met and several
pistol shots We're exchanged. Sup
posing that he had MORALLY wound
cd his antagonist, he took the tram
for Iowa, and to avoid arrest, which
seemed sure to follow, he took his
own life He was about thirty years
of age and farm renter by occupa-
ton.
March 14th occurred the suicide
of Marion Latta. He was living
alone in small house on farm in
Fremont township He took his life
by hanging himself. He was regard
ed as good-h earted. inoffensive
man, but had become addicted to the
excessive use of intoxicating liquors.
He left wife and two sons who
were not living with him at the
time of the tragedy.
A man by the name of Leroy
Tucker was struck by northwestern
train and instantly killed July Is,
1892. 1t is supposed that he sat
down on the track to rest and went
to sleep and the train came upon
him in that condition. The tragedy
occurred in Cass township.
Gilbert J. Kringlin committed sui
eide in February, 1892, by taking
strychnine. The deed was done at
the Biggs hotel in Webster City and
domestic trouble was assigned as the
cause. He was 4 Norwegian. fairly
we'll to do and about sixty years of
age.
On July 9Th occurred a tragedy
that shocked the entire state. A ter
rible cyclone visited Pomeroy. about
fifty miles west OF Webster City. and
destroyed the town and killed and
wounded nearly two hundred peo-
pie. Among these were the Briens,
who only a short time before had
moved from Williams, Iowa. The
following account from the Fort
Dodge Post tells of the story:
TRAGIC DEATH OF THE O'BRIENS
One of the sad dest of these events
probably was the fateful and tragic
experience Of the O'Brien family
There were two brothers and their
families. J. E. O'Brien, postal clerk
on the Illinois Central, and D. L..
O'Brien, They removed to Pomeroy.
from Williams only about three
weeks ago, and were just settled in
their new homes. Both houses were
completely destroyed. ]. NJ oBrien
and Mrs. D. L. 0'Brien and infant