Bio: Albrecht, Louis (Buried Alive - 1910)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Albrecht, Grassman, Ross, Schwarz

----Source: The Granton News (Granton, Clark Co., WI.) February 4, 1910

Albrecht, Louis (Buried Alive - 1910)

Louis Albrecht, the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Albrecht of the Town of Lynn met with a serious accident last Tuesday forenoon which may yet result in the loss of his life.  The young man was assisting at a sand bee for a school house which is built in that locality next spring.  This sand is hauled from a pit two miles south of Grassman’s mill. 

This pit has an opening of about 6 feet in diameter, is about 10 feet deep and at the bottom covers a space of about 20 feet across.  The young man with four others was engaged at the bottom of this hole filling buckets with sand which by means of ropes were hauled to the surface by men above.  While thus engaged a large volume of sand suddenly gave way from the overhanging mass, completely burying Albrecht to a depth of about 8 inches above his head.  His companions rushed at once to his assistance, but considerable time was lost however in trying to locate the unfortunate and fully 5 minutes relapsed before his head could be uncovered and save him from suffocation.  When finally entirely released from his uncomfortable position it was found that he was hurt a good deal worse than was first expected.  He was hurried home and Doctors Ross of this place and Schwarz of Chili (were) summoned who found that he received severe internal injuries, several broken ribs and badly bruised side, the latter being due to the stooped over position when the accident occurred.  The handle of the shovel was driven into his side.  He is said to be in a critical condition.