Hand County News Articles

Aberdeen Daily News

Aberdeen, South Dakota

Thursday, April 28, 1921

MOTHER AND BABE BURNED TO DEATH AT REE HEIGHTS

    Ree Heights, S.D. April 28 - Mrs. Arthur W. Dale and her two-months old daughter were burned to death here yesterday morning, the husband severely injured and their home destroyed by fire.

    It is stated Mrs. Dale had used kerosene in starting the fire in the kitchen stove.

    Mrs. Dale, who was about 22 years old was a daughter of the late Louis Shonbrun, prominent citizen of Miller. She was married to A. W. Dale just before he left for military service overseas. Since his return Mr. Dale has been engaged in the garage business in Ree Heights, and he and his brother John, another ex-service man, are dealers in gasoline and agents for a well known line.

    The burned house belonged to W. M. Richmond, old-time settler in the town.

Aberdeen Daily News
Aberdeen, South Dakota, Tuesday, November 4, 1913

REE HEIGHTS MAN TAKES HIS OWN LIFE

Miller, Nov. 4 - L. T. Gibson of Ree Heights, aged 55, committed suicide by shooting himself through the head. His son found the man lying dead in bed with a bullet wound through the temple, a revolver clasped in his right hand and a bottle of strychnine in his coat pocket, together with eleven empty capsules of the poison. He had evidently taken the strychnine, and then, to make doubly sure, had shot himself through the head. He had purchased the strychnine and a new revolver and box of cartridges at Miller the day before. It is said the man and quarreled with his family and his wife and children had left him, going to live with a married son. Gibson continued in the home place, living alone and it is supposed he became despondent.

The Evening Huronite
Huron, South Dakota
Dec. 19, 1930
facts gleaned:

Death notice for Mrs. Simon Miller
"pioneer resident", lived in south Hand co.
Death: on "Saturday"; Mondamin twp, at her home
Age: 75 yrs
Survivors include husband, three children, brother (Thomas Puffer)

The Evening Huronite
Huron, South Dakota
Dec. 19, 1930
facts gleaned

Death notice of Harvey Anderson, age 12
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Anderson
Residence: North of town
Death: diphtheria, on Friday
Burial: Ree Heights cemetery, Saturday
(cemetery listing)

The Evening Huronite
Huron, South Dakota
Dec. 19, 1930
facts gleaned
Mentions that E. O. Reck, who is a local undertaker, has been busy with diphtheria deaths north of Ree Heights/western Hand co.

The Evening Huronite
Huron, South Dakota
Dec. 19, 1930
facts gleaned
Death notice for A. B. Cook
Death: "Friday"
Funeral: "Sunday" at the Methodist Church.
Age: 55y
born Virginia
Leaves a wife, two sons, two daughters

From the Lincoln Evening News

Lincoln, Nebraska

Oct. 11, 1905

Contributed by Barbara Tuz

SCRIBBED HIS LAST WILL, THEN FIRED FATAL SHOT

One of the most remarkable wills ever offered for probate in South Dakota has just been filed at Miller. William Rymal, the teacher, listened while a graphophone played "Break the News to Mother," clapped his hands in encore and while it was being repeated scribbled the will on a leaf torn from a note book. He suddenly drew a revolver and shot a bullet crashing through his brain before the horrified spectators could interfere.

Two school teachers, Miss Mabel Harris and Miss Jennie Stephenson, were named as beneficiaries in the will, one bequest was for $600 and the other for $500. The remainder of his fortune was bequeathed to his mother. The words, "because they are two good girls and have been kind to mother," were written following the statement of the bequest to the two young women.

Inasmuch as young Rymal failed to date or sign the will, there has been serious question raised as to its legality. Then, too, the young women named as beneficiaries have announced that they do not care to claim the bequest and that they prefer that the mother receive all. She insists, however, that she desires above all things to carry out the dying request of her son. She has directed the probate judge to see that the provisions of the will are carried out by the administrator, and the latter takes the position that the fact that there were witnesses to the will renders it valid, despite other informalities in is construction.

Young Rymal apparently had no motive for taking his life. He seemed happy and was even jovial immediately preceding his death. He claimed he had been robbed of $70 at Orient the day before, but that was no serious matter to him, as he left an estate of over $3,000. It has been suggested that there may have been a love affair involving the beneficiaries named in the strange will, but careful inquiry seems to leave no room to doubt that their mutual regard was purely platonic and that Rymal never had a serious love affair in his life. He was immensely popular, and his death has cast general gloom over the community.

(from scrapbook, no date or publication available)

TRAGIC ACCIDENT TAKES TWO LIVES
Ardath Locke and Helen McMahon Killed When Car Crashes Bridge. Roy McKown, Ellsworth Gussler Hurt

Two young people lost their lives and a third was critically injured in a tragic accident early Tuesday morning, when their car struck a bridge east of St. Lawrence.
Dead are Ardath Locke, 23, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Art Locke, and a staff nurse at the Miller Clinic, and Helen McMahon, 23, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dan McMahon. In a critical condition at the Miller hospital in Roy McKown, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank McKown. Ellsworth Gussler, driver of the car, suffered cuts and bruises. He is hospitalized for treatment for shock.

The accident occurred about five miles east of St. Lawrence, near the Arnold Fremark farm, while the group was on the way home from Huron. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Conerton, returning to their home near Vayland, came upon the wrecked car, and summoned help. This was about 2:30 and it is believed the crash occurred only a brief time before.
Giving an account of events which led up to the tragedy, young Gussler, only recently discharged from the army, stated that he had met a car on the higway, travelling at a very high rate of speed. The driver refused to dim his headlights which were so bright that a farmer living nearby who saw the car thought it was a fire in St. Lawrence. Blinded by the lights, and unable to tell just where the approaching car was in the road, Ellsworth turned off the paving to give him as much passing room as possible. It was as he swung back to the highway again that the car struck the concrete abutment of the bridge, with such force as to wrap the front door around the steel post.
All four occupants had been hurled from the car in the crash which sheared off the right hand side of the car almost completely. Miss McMahon, who was sitting in the front seat, is believed to have been killed almost instantly, or may have died quickly from loss of blood. Miss Locke was still alive, but died a few moments after being brought to the hospital. Her injuries included a broken back. Both girls were sitting on the right hand side of the car.
Roy McKown was unconscious when brought to the hospital, and did not regain consciousness until Tuesday morning. Because of his condition it was impossible to make a complete examination to determine the extent of his injuries. One leg was fractured in two places, above and below the knee, his left arm was fractured and it is feared that he suffered internal injuries. His condition is serious.
Funeral services for Miss McMahon were held Thursday morning from St. Ann's Catholic church, and burial made in the Catholic cemetery. Pall bearers were John, James and Thomas Coss, Frank and Lee Bell and Lowell Hall.
Born at Mitchell September 7, 1923, she received her education in the Mitchell and Woonsocket schools, and with her parents came to Miller about six years ago. For several years she was employed as clerk at Scofield's and Haugen's grocery stores, and prior to her tragic death was employed with the Coffee Cup Cafe.
Surviving are her parents and two brothers, Glen and Lloyd.
Services for Miss Locke will be held Friday afternoon from the Methodist church, of which she had been a member since June, 1941. Rev. Ernst will have charge of the services. Pall bearers will be her high school class mates, Maurice Anderson, Robert Schroeder, Louis Donlin, Francis Schwartz, and Marvin Benning.
Born near Miller October 4, 1922, Miss Locke grew to young womanhood here, and attended high school in Miller, graduating with the class of 1941. Following her graduation, she entered St. Mary's School for Nursing at Pierre, completing her course in 1944. The same year she joined the nursing staff of the Miller hospital, continuing in her profession until her death.
She is survived by her parents, one sister, Norma, two brothers, Kenneth and Robert, and her grandparents.

(no date or publication - from scrap book)
ROSE HILL FARMER IS CRASH VICTIM
Ogee Johnson Dies from Injuries Received in Collision. Five Others Injured.

Ogee Johnson, 62 year old farmer of Rose Hill township, is dead, and five other people are in a Huron hospital, as the result of an automobile crash south of Vayland Tuesday morning. Mr. Johnson, driver of one of the cars, suffered internal injuries and passed away in the hospital early Wednesday morning.
The crash occurred at a highway intersection 17 miles south of Vayland. Sheriff Roy Haas, who was called to investigate the collision, said it occurred at a wide intersection. The Johnson car was traveling south, and the other, driven by Sherman Sterner of Highmore, was coming from the east. Mr. Johnson was alone in his car.
Others injured in the collision, who suffered injuries described by attending physicians as painful but not critical are:
Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Sterner, who live south of Highmore.
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Willroth and 5 year old son, Edward, of Denison, Ia.
Most seriously injured of the group, all of whom were riding in the Sterner car, is Mrs. Willroth, who suffered a dislocated knee; Mrs. Sterner, fractured knee cap; and Edward Willroth, who sustained a fractured collar bone and severe facial and scalp lacerations.
All members of the party were badly cut and bruised but are expected to make satisfactory recovery, their physician said.
Mr. Johnson is a brother-in-law of Mrs. Floyd McCarl of Miller and well known in the county.

(from scrapbook, no date or publication)

Car Stalled, Rescue Averts Serious Result

Caught on the road when his car stalled in 15 below temperature and an icy northwest wind, John Wever had several very uncomfortable hours, New Year day, before he was rescued.
Returning from Highmore John's car stalled about four miles from that town. After unsuccessful attempts to start the car again, he started walking to a farm house. He was wearing only a light top coat and no hat. When he reached the farm, he found it was untennanted, and started walking again, hoping to find a place where he could be sheltered. He had gone only a short distance when Dean Henson of Ree Heights drove up, and took him into Ree Heights, leaving John at the home of Henson's grandmother.
Early in the morning, after his failure to return home, the parents became alarmed and a searching party was organized. Because of the lack of night service at Ree Heights, it was impossible for John to notify his parents that he was safe, until some time Monday forenoon, and in the mean time much fear had been felt that he might be a victim of the bitter cold.
Despite his harroing experience, he suffered no ill effects from exposure.

(from scrapbook - no date or publication name)
TWO FATALLY INJURED, MAN HOSPITALIZED IN SEPARATE ACCIDENTS

A series of two traffic accidents took the lives of two men and put a third in the hospital, where he is under guard, awaiting recovery before being removed to Pierre to face a charge of car theft.

Anton Flottmeyer, well-known resident of Fairview township, died early last Thursday morning in Memorial hospital, from injuries received when his car struck the bridge near the golf course, north of Miller. Mr. Flottmeyer was riding alone at the time, and was on his way home after attending the sale in Miller. The accident occurred about 11 o'clock Wednesday night.
Witnesses to the accident stated that the car rolled over several times after hitting the bridge. Mr. Flottmeyer was conscious when removed from the car, and was at once brought to the hospital. Death was caused from a ruptured spleen and internal hemorhage.
Born in Germany, the deceased had made his home in the Polo vicinity for many years. Funeral services were held last Saturday morning from St. Liborius church, Father Hunold officiating. He is survived by three children. Mrs. Flottmeyer passed away five years ago.
(remainder of article missing)

(from scrapbook - no date or publication name)
MRS. STENDER, HURT IN COLLISION, IS MUCH IMPROVED

The condition of Mrs. Rudy Stender, one of two people injured a week ago in an automobile collision, was showing improvment, her sister, Mrs. Sylvia Price, reported Tuesday.

Considered in critical condition ever since the mishap, Mrs. Stender was gaining enough strength to take some nourishment, and was feeling much better, although still in a serious condition.
First taken to the hospital at Faulkton, Mrs. Stender was later removed to St. Luke's hospital in Aberdeen. Because of her general condition, doctors have been unable to make a thorough examination to determine the extent of her injuries. Mrs. Stender is conscious, but has no recollection of the events leading up to the accident, and cannot give a coherent story. Among injuries she received were a fractured leg, in which the bone was splintered, a broken wrist, and a large section torn from her upper lip. The glove compartment was open and badly dented, and it is believed that she struck this with her mouth, inflicting the gash. Doctors had stitched the piece into place, and this was healing nicely.
R. C. Fairbanks, an electric appliance dealer of Huron, who was driving the other car involved in the crash, was less seriously injured, and was released last Sunday from Memorial hospital, where he had been brought after the accident. He had suffered rib fractures, and severe cuts on both legs.
The accident occurred last Wednesday afternoon east of Orient, on the curve on highways 45 and 212. Fairbanks was going east, and Mrs. Stender was going west. According to Sheriff L. J. Seivers of Faulkton, Fairbanks was under the impression that Mrs. Stender was going to turn the curve, which leads to Faulkton, but she had apparently intended to continued to Orient, and the two cars met head on.

Miller Press

30 Oct 1913

submitted by Karen Seeman

TAKES OWN LIFE WITH REVOLVER

L. T. Gibson, of Ree Heights, Commits Suicide

County Coroner Wallis was summoned to Ree Heights Tuesday to view the remains of L. T. Gibson, a farmer living on the former McWhorter farm, about one mile southeast of Ree Heights. Undertaker Coquillette was also summoned Tuesday morning, and reports that the body was still warm when he got there.

The suicide was found by his son, a young man who lives with a married brother, a short distance from the Gibson home. The father was lying in bed, undressed, with a 22 caliber revolver grasped in his hand. A bottle of strychnine was also found in his coat pocket, together with eleven empty capsules. Those present concluded that he had purchased the bottle of poison, 12 capsules, a new revolver and a box of shells at Highmore, where he had been Monday. He had evidently filled one of the capsules with strychnine, swallowed it, and then shot himself through the temple.

L. T. Gibson was about 55 years old. He bought the McWhorter farm some seven or eight years ago, and moved there with his wife and several children. From reports received it appears that the family did not get along very well with the father, and a few months ago the mother and those children still at home, left the farm, going to North Dakota. The old gentleman had since lived alone, and it is supposed in a fit of despondency he decided to end his troubles. The remains will be buried today at Miller.

Aberdeen (SD) Weekly News, Thursday, April 27, 1916

Old Man a Suicide

Miller, April 22 -- Despondency due to continued ill health of several months standing caused Reuben Snyder, 63* years old, a farmer in Como township, Hand county, to commit suicide by means of a revolver shot. Snyder left several grown children.

*or 65

The Evening Huronite

Huron, South Dakota

Thursday, October 8, 1936

facts gleaned, article NOT copied word for word. Please consult the original newspaper for the complete article.

"CHILD REVIVES AFTER FALL INTO CISTERN"

Location: St. Lawrence

3 year old Joan Lovelace (parents Mr. and Mrs. John Lovelace) is okay after she fell into a cistern at her great-grandfather's (John Danburg) house.
The child and her sister Joyce moved boards covering the cistern; Joan was knocked unconscious when her head hit the wall of the cistern. She was rescued and revived quickly.

17 Jul 1914

Aberdeen American

ROCKHAM AUTO DRIVER HAS REMARKABLE LUCK

Cresbard, July 16: Charles Saenger, who lives south of Rockham, had a narrow escape from joining the innumerable throng which are carelessly crossing the divide, in an auto accident on the long hill and (----) between I. L. Moulton’s and Stewart Lerew’s. He had made a run for the hill on “high” but failed to make the top and in changing from “high” to “low” his clutch failed to take hold and he and his car went tearing down the hill backwards. When he struck the (---) his car turned completely over twice, the first time it left him sitting beside the road and one of the front wheels was completely smashed. He received no injury worth speaking of.

The Daily Republic, Mitchell, South Dakota
Unknown date
Contributed by Jeanne Jessie

Miller - After a night-long battle through a blizzard last December a Miller housewife will be released from Memorial Hospital here within a few weeks.
Mrs. Rudolph Kasche, who had both feet amputated as a result of the ordeal, will be taken to Minneapolis to be fitted with artificial limbs after her release from the hospital. She will be given physio-therapy treatments there.
Mrs. Kasche, mother of five children, struggled through the blizzard with her husband one night in early December. The couple wasn't able to reach a farmhouse until the following morning. Mrs. Kasche was flown from teh farm to Memorial Hospital in Miller.
The children of the double-amputee, the youngest of whom is 15 months, are being cared for by relatives in Minnesota. Her husband is employed in Huron.
A fund has been started, under the chairmanship of Mrs. Myrtle Puncochar of Miller, to buy artificial limbs and to pay Mrs. Kasche's hospital expenses. Donations have been received from several states.

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