Galena Daily Gazette, 17 Dec 1897, FELL TO HIS DEATH, Charles Heller, a Former Galenian, Killed Early This Morning at East Dubuque--He Fell Off the Illinois Central Railroad Bridge While Crossing Over and Broke His Neck--Charles Heller, a former well known Galena citizen, was killed instantly at an early hour this morning at East Dubuque. He fell headlong from the Illinois Central railroad bridge, which he was attempting to cross, and broke his neck on the ice below. The distressing accident occurred about 2:30 o'clock. Mr. Heller had been in Dubuque during the night and returning to his home in East Dubuque proceeded across the railroad bridge. Why he chose this route instead of the high bridge is not explained. He had reached the draw span, which is near the Illinois Central shore, when the tender of the draw hearing footsteps opened the door of his house to see who was approaching. No one who is not provided with a pass is allowed to cross the railroad bridge on foot. It is surmised the sudden appearance of the watchman startled Mr. Heller for at the moment of his appearance he made a step too far to one side and down he fell forty feet to the glare of the ice below. The watchman immediately telephoned the police. He was not sure at first whether the ice had withstood the shock or whether the body had plunged through the river. As soon as lights were brought the body was seen lying where it fell and one glance showed that the man was dead. A subsequent examination revealed that his neck had been broken by the fall. Mr. Heller was well known and his body was identified at the first glance. It was removed to his home, and a telegram was received here early in the morning by Mr. Geo. C. Biesmann, his brother in law, notifying him of the accident. The venerable mother of the man lives on Seminary Hill in this city and she went to East Dubuque on one of the day trains. Charles Heller was 48 years old. He was a native of Germany and came to Galena with other members of his family in the early 60s. He was a cigar maker by trade and for a number of years was employed in the factory operated here by Heller & Biesmann. When the roller-skating amusement was the popular recreation he was proprietor of the rink in Turner Hall. Later he conducted a bar on upper Main street. A few years ago he moved to East Dubuque and has since been employed in the extensive cigar factory of his brother, R. H. Heller in Dubuque. He leaves a large family consisting of his wife and nine children. He is also survived by his aged mother and three brothers, R. H. Heller of East Dubuque, and William Heller of Rice Township. {sic and Henry of Dunleith}. The first wife of Geo. C. Biesmann was his only sister. (Father was Johann Georg Jr Heller b. 28 Jan 1814 in Frauenbreitungen, Meiningen, Sachsen-Meiningen, Germany and d. 05 Feb 1854 in Altenbreitungen, Meiningen, Sachsen-Meiningen, Germany.)
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Carl Friedrich Heller, born Altenbreitungen 9 Sep 1849 at 2 a.m, and baptised the same day, 6th child, 4th son of Johann Georg Heller, neighbor and carpenter in Altenbreitungen und Anna Margarethe, nee Schmidt his wife. godfather Johann Wilhelm Roßbach, Master Linnen weaver in Altenbreitungen.