New Ulm review., 1921-11-16
FALL INTO CISTERN
RESULTS FATALLY
MRS. P. A. BECKER's MOTHER
MET DEATH IN HOME
WEDNESDAY.
SAD SAD ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT
WELCOME. oBsEoUIEs
ON SUNDAY.

Mrs. John H. Fedde, mother of
Mrs. Mrs. F. A. Becker of this city, met
death in an unusually sad manner
Wednesday afternoon, when she sue
cumbed l to the effects of shock and
exposure caused by her accidentally
falling into the cistern opening, which
is located in the rear entry of the Fedde
home in Welcome, MINI. The de-
plorable accident occurred at about
II o'clock noon and death ensued a
short time later, in spite of all that
the best of medical attention and low
ing and devoted care could do to save
her life.
Was Filling Tank.
Mr.: Fedde had opened the cistern
trap door to take out some rain water
to fill a pressure tank in the cellar.
He had warned Mrs. Fedde about the
opening, but she was busy preparing
the noon-day meal and evidently for
got about the open trap door when she
stepped into the entry OF get some ar
ticle which she needed. Her husband
heard quite loud splash, but no other
sound, while he was in the cellar, and
was about to dispel the matter, when a
sudden premonition seemed to urge
him to go upstairs. Upon doing so,
| he beheld his wife struggling in the
water in the cistern.
jumped Down to Assist.
Needless of the danger that his own
life was in, Mr.. Fedde jumped down
into the cistern without hesitating.
The water was over five feet deep and
the distance between the water level
and the floor was fully as great.
He caught the drowning woman in his
arms and tied her to the cistern pipe
with his suspenders in such manner
as to keep her head above water, until
such time as he, could get out of the
cistern and secure assistance. How
he made his ascent without a ladder,
Mr.. Fedde does not know, but indi-
cations are that the aged man crawled
up on the wall by holding to the els
tern pipe with his hands. He summonek
|neighbors, who soon extricated Mrs.
IFedde from her dangerous position,
but the exposure in the cold water was
Itoo great a shock for her to overcome.
EShe, failed to regain consciousness and
peacefully passed away.
Married Over so Years.
Mr.. and Mrs Fedde celebrated their
golden wedding anniversary, October
III, of this year, and all Of the children
were present to assist their parents in
observing the event. It was a very
pheasant family reunion, and none of
|those present realized that it would
/ be sthe last time they would all be
together.
Born in Germany.
Mrs. Fedde, nee Anna Margaretha
Fedde, was born in Schleswig-Holstein
i Germany, January 13, 1850, being II
years, 9 months and 26 days old when
the final summons came. At the age
of 18 she emigrated to America, To-.
eating at Crown Point, Indiana, where
she was married to her surviving hus-
band, October q, 1871. About 20
years ago the family removed to Mar
4 tin County, Mimi, where deceased had
|resided ever since. For the past two
years, Mr.. and Mrs: Fedde had made
their home at Welcome, having removed
4 to- that place from Fairmont.
i Besides her sorrowing husband she
leaves eight children, 90 grandchildren
and six great grandchildren to mourn
!, her less, five children having preceded
her in death. The surviving children
Z are: John ]. Fedde, Roscoe, S. D.;
Henry Fedde, Deadwood, S. D.; Mrs.
). Henry HIM, Shell Lake, Wis; Edward
Fedde, Hayward, Wis, and Mrs. P.
J, "A. Becker, New Ulm.
81 Funeral services were conducted at
u the Evangelical church at Welcome,
J, Sunday afternoon, Rev. Dr.. Muecke
officiating, and the remains were laid
TO rest m the cemetery there. Mrs
Becker attended the last sad rites
Mr.. Becker was unable to- be present
i owing to the serious illness Of theil
!. son, Walter.
Z G. Beier, and Jacob Fell Of Delft
& township transacted business in this