William A. Mentzer, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
William A. Mentzer
MEETS HIS FATE.
Wm. Mentzer, a Porter County Boy, Killed by a Michigan Central Freight.
Michigan City Dispatch. William A. Mentzer, of this city, a Michigan Central brakeman, was fatally injured in the lower Michigan Central yards Wednesday night June 29. The young man belonged to the freight train known as the main line merchandise. The train was in charge of Conductor T. J. Kennedy, and was drawn by No. 84, of which William Keneflick was the engineer and Charles Meachum the fireman. Harry Kessler, of this city, was one of the brakemen. The train pulled into the yards from the west at 9:25 o'clock. Mr. Mentzer was on the rear car and was in the act of setting a brake, when he slipped and fell between the cars. At that time the train was running slowly, and was coming to a standstill. The brakeman fell with his legs beneath the wheels and one truck of a car passed over them. Wm. Gallas, the night watchman in the yards, was the only man who saw the unfortunate man fall. Mr. Gallas was standing within ten or twelve feet of the scene of the accident. Mr. Mentzer's legs were frightfully mangled and the young man suffered greatly from the loss of blood, yet he was conscious all the time. He was placed in a way car and was brought to the depot. From there the man was moved as rapidly as possible to the Mullen hospital on Washington street, where Dr. A. J. Mullen, the company's surgeon, assisted by Dr. W. R. Godfrey, did all in their power to render the patient comfortable. Mr. Mentzer's left leg above the knee was crushed to a pulp and the flesh of his right leg was torn open and crushed from the knee to the hip. Although conscious all the time the young man's vitality was so low that any surgical operation would have been impossible. At 1:45 o'clock a. m. the injured man died from the shock. He was conscious until five minutes before his death. Conductor Dibble and Brakeman Kiasner and Brosby, of the Michigan Central, were present and did all they could for the young man's comfort until the end came.
As soon as the accident happened Conductor Kennedy and Switchman Steinke hastened to Porter station, near which town Mr. and Mrs. A. Mentzer, parents of the deceased, reside. The parents were informed of the accident and arrived here a short time after their son's death. Samuel Mentzer, of this city, is a brother of the deceased.
William A. Mentzer was 21 years old. He began breaking [sic] for the Michigan Central two years ago during which time he made his headquarters in this city. He possessed an irreproachable character and was steady, sober and industrious. He was a favorite among the railroad men. He belonged to the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, and was insured in that order for $1,000 in favor of his mother.
The young man roomed at Mr. Miles' residence, corner of Washington and Michigan streets, where the remains were taken after being prepared for burial. The funeral was held in St. Mary's church Friday forenoon at 9:00 o'clock under the auspices of the brotherhood. Rev. Father Bleckmann officiated. The remains were buried in Calvary cemetery.
Newspaper: The Tribune
Date of Publication: July 8, 1892
Volume Number: 9
Issue Number: 13
Page: 1
Column(s): 5
Key to Newspaper Publication Locations:
Newspapers Published in Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana
Chesterton Tribune
The Tribune
Westchester Tribune
Newspapers Published in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Porter County Vidette
Practical Observer
Valparaiso Practical Observer
Vidette and Republic
Western Ranger
The obituaries and death notices appearing on this website have been transcribed exactly as they were originally published in the newspaper.
Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of obituaries and death notices
appearing on this website.
Obituary/death notice transcribed by Steven R. Shook