Obit: Westphal, James August Bardeen #2 (1896 - 1914)

Contact: Ann Stevens

Contact:  sdann88@yahoo.com

Surnames: Westphal, Wagner, Carter

----Source:  Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.)  July 2, 1914

Westphal, James August Bardeen (16 Apr 1896 - 24 Jun 1914)

Whirled to His Death              Drawn into Gasoline Engine

James Westphal Meets Fatal Accident in Town of Seif

James Westphal received injuries on Tuesday of last week which resulted in his death the following day.  Westphal was preparing to saw wood for Chas. Wagner at his farm four miles this side of Tioga.  His gasoline engine was mounted on a truck and in attempting to slip a drive belt over the pulley on the engine, his arm was caught by the belt and pulled around the pulley.  Westphal’s arm and shoulder were drawn into the pulley and he was whirled about the fly wheel about twenty times.  At this juncture, the engine truck fell over and clogged the engine so that it stopped.  The injured man was cut loose from the belt and carried to the Wagner house and physicians summoned.  The accident happened at 9 o’clock Tuesday morning and Westphal lived until Wednesday afternoon when he died at 6 o’clock.  He was crushed about the head and shoulders and practically all the bones in the upper part of his body were broken.  He was completely paralyzed below the chest.

Westphal was conscious up to the time of his death and conversed with his parents and friends, realizing that the accident which had befallen him would prove fatal.  A former employee, Claude Carter, and his wife called on Westphal, which visit was especially pleasing to the young man.  Westphal was 18 years of age and just entering upon young manhood, a fact which made the accident especially deplorable.

James August Bardeen Westphal was born in this county to Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Westphal on April 16, 1896.  He was an industrious and capable young man and was generally esteemed by all his friends and acquaintances.  He is survived by his parents, one brother, three sisters and one grandparent.  The funeral was held Friday afternoon, services being held in the Methodist Church of this city and interment being made in the Neillsville Cemetery.