The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-10-14
LAST ACT IN LIFE WAS TO Pre-.
VENT RUNAWAY TEAM FROM
DOING HARM.
Was Struck In Chest by Tongue OF
Wagon or Feet Of One Of the
Runaway Mules.

Peculiar circumstances, says Cor
oner Mitchell. surrounds the tragic
death OF Harry Gruser. Stone Church
road farmer. who was run down yes
terday morning by a team OF runaway
mules belonging to Sax & Patterson,
receiving injuries which caused his
death while enroute TO the Ohio Val.
ley General hospital. Just what was
the primary cause OF death Is not
known. DIR. Thornton. who attended
the man. refused last night to give
out anything on the cause OF death,
desiring TO make known his conclu-
sions at the inquest that will be held
this morning at the Thornburg un.
dertaking parlors.
Blame for the accident has been
placed generally on a National tele-
phone lineman who was working on
pole right above where the mules
were left standing. by the driver.
Frank Brandfass. He was delivering
Ice to the home of Mrs. Harold Etc
and left his team standing on Edg-
wood street. near the intersection of
mules became frightened they broke
through the vacant lots between Edg-
wood and Walnut streets, and started
down Walnut street.
Mr.. Gruber was delivering vege-
tables at the home OF Mrs. Harry
Rumble and also at Mrs. Charles
Nichols. The women were at the
wagon making their purchases when
the runaway team tore through the
vacant lots. Mr.. Gruber ran 10 the
m nf "a - g.
them but conflicting stories arise
whether or not he was hit by the
wagon tongue. tramped or kicked by
the mules. Sax & Patterson. owners
OF the animals. say that the wagon
did not run over him as was rumorea
yesterday.
Died In Short Time.
The man was taken upon the Ad-
ans porch. DIR. Thornton was called
and summoned the c. A. House truck
that was making a delivery and
started with the man TO the Ohio
Valley General hospital. Two hy-
podermics were administered on the
way. but the man had expired before
he reached the institution. Before
he died. he asked for some one TO
tell his family that he was badly hurt
He also said Just as he lapsed into
inconsistencies, Who will take care
OF my family7"
His wife and son were notified OF
the injury and hurried to the hospital
but death occurred before they arriv-
ed. Grief stricken. the widow almost
collapsed when apprised OF the end.
An unusual coincidence IS the fact
that the truck that carried Mr.. Cru
Der to the hospital is the same that
carried Mr.. F. c. Flaccus on his last
life ride.
Mr.. Gruber was very well known To-
cally. having previously been connect
ed with the Bertschy Furniture Com
pany. He lived at Echo Point for a
number OF years. where he owns a
large amount OF property. About
three years ago he purchased a farm
adjoining the Coffeetown school house.
three miles east of Elm Grove, on the
Stone church road. where he resided.
He had reached the half-century
mark in life. He is survived by his
widow and two children, Harry and
Sarah. the latter being a student OF
the Triadelphia district High school
He is also survived by the following
brothers: Edward, OF South Huron
street: William. of North Main street,
and a sister. Mary. who resides with
the mother.
The body OF the dead man was taken
10 the Thornburg undertaking par
Tors. at Elm Grove. yesterday. and will
be prepared for burial Whether or
not an autopsy will be held has not
been decided by the family, although
the coroner counsels one. He says
there are certain things that he feels
should be cleared up that cannot 9TH
erwise be II the autopsy is not held
The mans team and wagon were taken
care OF by Mr.. Harry Ulrich. OF the
Behrens store. at Woodsdale.
Funeral services will be held Thurs
day At the home OF his sister. Mrs.
Henry Remke. the body having been
renoHed there last nichf