----Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Wis.) 10/18/1928

Demmer, Peter L. (18 Jul 1868 - 5 OCT 1928)

Peter Louis Demmer, a former resident of Colby, Wis., whose death was reported in this paper last week, was laid to rest in the Colby Catholic Cemetery. Funeral services were held at Centralia, Wash., Wednesday, Oct. 10th, at St. Mary's Church, Rev. Smythe officiating. Mr. Demmer met his death in a railroad accident while on a tour of inspection with a railroad speeder, which collided with a train. He jumped of the speeder when he saw the train approaching, but the little car was thrown off the track and hit him with such force that it killed him. He was roadmaster for the Northern Pacific Railroad Co.

The deceased was born in Germany July 18, 1868, thus reaching the age of sixty years and three months. He came to the U. S. with his parents when fourteen years of age and lived in Taylor Co., Wis. for one year, when he moved with his folks on a farm one mile north of Colby. When nineteen years of age, he started to work for the Wis. Central Railroad. In 1907 he went to Alma, Wash., and has worked for the Northern Pacific Railway Co. ever since. He was married to Katie Hopple at Colby, Wis., May 17, 1892. This union was blessed with three children, two of who are still living. One died when eight years of age and is buried in the Colby Catholic Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife and two children, namely: E. J. Demmer, Tacoma, Wash.; and A. P. Demmer, Minneapolis, Minn.; also two sisters, one in Germany and Mrs. Joe Jordan, Colby, Wis.

The out of town people here for the burial were his wife, his two sons; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hopple and son of Minneapolis, and Mrs. McKinnon of Minneapolis.

He was held in high esteem by his friends and fellow workers out west, which was testified by the large number of flowers which were sent here, an entire truck load.