----Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Wis.) 09/01/1921

Witte, William F. (14 Feb 1883 - 27 Augl 1921)

Wm. F. Witte, 38, a farmer living four and one-half miles west of Unity, Wis., was gored and trampled to death by a bull last Sunday evening at about 6:30 o’clock.

Mr. Witte went to the pasture after supper to drive in the stock to the barn and as he did not return to the house within a reasonable length of time the members of his family became suspicious that something had happened to him. In the meantime the stock had straggled in from the pasture, including the big bull and Mrs. Witte went to the field to investigate. She found him lying lifeless on the ground about a half-mile from the house with his body torn and terribly bruised.

No one witnessed the tragedy but the evidence of the struggle between man and beast were plainly visible. After Mr. Witte had been attacked the signs showed that the bull had tossed and trampled him about the field within an area of some eighty rods. He was horribly gored in the mid-section of his body besides many broken bones and bruises.

It is said that the bull had been considered rather dangerous and that Mr. Witte had made up his mind to dispose of him just a few days before he met his death.

William F. Witte was born in the town of Kossuth, Manitowoc Co., Feb. 14, 1883, and in 1901 came to Clark County with the family, who settled on the farm in the town of Unity. On the 25th of May 1921 he was married to Miss Augusta Koeppen of the town of Colby.

Mr. Witte was a hard working man of fine character and held the respect and esteem of all his neighbors and acquaintances, who greatly deplore his untimely and tragic death. His sorrowing widow and other members of the bereaved family have the sympathy of all.

Besides his widow, Mr. Witte is survived by his father, a brother, Richard, town of Unity, three sisters, Mrs. Harry Cammers, town of Beaver, Mrs. Ernest Schulz, Colby, Mrs. Ed Horner, Green Grove.

The funeral is being held today from the Lutheran Church in Green Grove and interment will be made in the church cemetery, Rev. Behrendt officiating.