Paul Mertz
| Date of Interment or Death | 09/27/1897 |
|---|---|
| Location | Old Fairview |
| Section | C |
| Block-Lot-Grave | 4-1-3 |
Obituary
Paul Mertz-1897
Paul Mertz Killed by the Overturning of a Street Sprinkling Cart.
Paul Mertz, the twelve year old son of Mrs. Mertz, a widow living on the west side, was killed Tuesday morning, being crushed beneath a street sprinkling cart which he was driving. The boy drove the cart east on Dakota avenue to the wagon bridge. As he turned the team some dogs attacked them. One of the horses lunged forward, and an outside tug or trace became loosed. The horses started west on the street, in a slow run. The little driver was perched up on a high seat, and had no means of bracing or holding himself in the seat. His feet did not touch the platform, and the jarring and jolting of the cart caused him to slip forward. Fearful of falling the boy dropped the lines and held on to the seat with his hands, screaming whoa! whoa! to the horses. A man sitting in front of the Commercial hotel, called to the boy to jump, but the boy did not seem to be able or was afraid to do so. When the cart passed over the west crossing on First street the front axle broke, but it did not give down very much until it reached a sunken spot in the street in front of Miksche’s store. Then the broken axle dropped, and the tank struck the ground, when it lurched and turned half way over, so that the hind wheels stood up in the air. The boy was found to be fastened to the seat of the cart, the irons in the seat piercing his clothes and arm, holding him in a vise like grip. The cart rolled over him killing him instantly. When men reached the scene of the accident the boy’s body was found lying partly under the seat of the tank, covered with blood, which had come from the mouth, nose and ears, showing that he had been crushed. The team after breaking loose from the tank ran up the street with the tongue and other remnants of the cart.
Headstone photograph(s)
Location
Old Fairview is located on the southern half of the cemetery grounds.