Obit: Selves, Earl (1885 - 1914)

Contact: Anonymous
Email: sdann88@yahoo.com or stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Selves, Osburn, Stuart, Johnson, Nogle

----Source:  Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.)  Apr 23, 1914

Selves, Earl (13 Feb 1885 - 17 Apr 1914)

On Friday morning, April 17^th, a very sad accident occurred at Baudette, Minn., when Earl Selves was seriously hurt as a result from a dynamite explosion.  The accident occurred about 8 o’clock a.m., where a well was being bored, on the lot occupied by Mr. Selves.  Several sticks of dynamite, which had been placed in a can were being lowered in the pipe to blow out some boulders, became lodged and an explosion followed.  The pipe was blown into pits of pieces, some penetrating three walls of the house, as though bullets had been fired.

Mr. Selves happened to be near at that moment, and pieces of flying pipe, cut him in several places.  He was at once rushed to the Northern Minnesota hospital, where it was found necessary to amputate his right leg above the knee.  He also suffered other injuries.  Drs. Osburn and Stuart with two nurses were in attendance.  Everything possible was done for him, but death claimed him about two p.m. the same day.

Earl Selves, the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Selves, was born and reared on a farm on Pleasant Ridge, Wis., where he remained 14 years.  Then the family moved to Lac du Flambeau, Wis., where he attended school until the age of 17.  He then commenced to work for the Flambeau Lbr. Co. and remained there about six years.  At the age of 23 years, he married Amelia Johnson and they moved to Thief River Falls, Minn., where Mr. Selves was employed in the lumber mills for two years.  From there they moved to Baudette, Minn., where he worked in the local saw mills as a setter for a period of about four years.  At the time of his death he was 29 years, 2 months and 4 days old.  Besides his parents, sisters and a brother, he leaves a wife and three children to mourn the sudden departure of a good son and brother, a loving husband and a dear father.

The accident is one of the saddest that has happened here and has cast a gloom over the entire community. 

Mr. Selves was a man of good character, who was admired by all who knew him, and our sincere sympathy is with the bereaved ones.

Funeral services were conducted at the Lutheran church on Sunday afternoon at three o’clock, the church being filled to its utmost capacity.

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The remains were brought to this city and funeral services were conducted by Rev. Nogle in the Methodist church and interment was made in the Neillsville Cemetery.  An escort of Modern Woodmen, of which Mr. Selves was a member, accompanied the remains to the grave.

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Card of Thanks

At the time of great bereavement which has come to us, the friends and neighbors at Baudette, Minn., extended every possible aid and comfort; at Neillsville the same kindly spirit and sympathy was accorded, and we wish to extend to our friends at Baudette and Neillsville our sincere thanks and appreciation for their kindly acts.

Mrs. Earl Selves and children

William Selves and family