Obit: Obschernings, Otto (1898 - 1925)
Poster: R. Lipprandt
Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org PREVIOUS>

Surnames: Arndt, Buehler, Hillemann, Obschernings

----Source: The Taylor County Star and News (Medford, Taylor County, Wis.) September 1925

Obschernings, Otto (April 4, 1898 - March 10, 1925)

German Boy Torn to Pieces at Hurd Plant

Otto Obschernings, millwright, was literally torn to pieces in an accident at the Hurd Lumber Company’s plant in Medford Tuesday afternoon. He was a 26 year old German boy who came over from the old country in December. Otto Arndt, farmer near Medford, has supplied his passage money, and he was repaying Mr. Arndt while working for the Hurd Company and making his home at the Buehler home. He was expecting to pay Mr. Arndt the last of his passage money next Sunday.

The accident happened in the downstairs part of the sash and door plant. No one witnessed it. It is believed that he put on a belt with his foot and that his pant leg caught and flew him around with the belt.

The first warning the workmen upstairs had was the regular thumping of the unfortunate man’s body as he hit the ceiling repeatedly. When they arrived they found the body on the floor, stripped clean of clothing except for a few rags around the neck. One leg has been torn off and thrown separately, and pieces of flesh and intestines were scattered about.

Funeral services will be held this afternoon, from the Immanuel Lutheran Church, in charge of Rev. M. J. Hillemann.

Mr. Obschernings was born in Germany April 4, 1898, so he was 26 years old. He leaves his father, Friedrich Obschernings, and four brothers and one sister, all living in Germany. He has $1000 insurance in a Lutheran Society.

Note: Birth and death information was retrieved from the Lipprandt-Obschernings Family Archives.