Story/Obituary from The Bayard (Iowa) News – February 6, 1913

Killed By An Engine

L.R. Winn, a former resident of this place, later a resident of Ross, where he
operated a creamery, about three years ago located at Anthon, where he assumed
the management of an elevator for the Trans-Mississippi Grain Company, had also
under his supervision the city pumping station at which place the accident
occurred causing almost instant death, he remained conscious and conversed
freely almost to the last.

About 6 o'clock Monday evening Jan. 27, Mr. Winn with his son Harry, 12 years of age,
had left the elevator to go home, stopped by the pumping station where the pump
had been running to fill the large supply reservoir to close down the engine. After
he had disconnected the clutch from the engine and prepared to go home, it
occurred to Mr. Winn to look at the water gauge. He struck a match and leaned
over the disconnected pump to get sight of the indicator and as he did so in
some manner got too close to the revolving shaft which also carried with it the
clutch, his clothing caught on the bolt heads or set screws that connect and
hold in place the clutch to the shaft, and before he could release himself was
carried around the revolving shaft, threshed against the wall of the building
and on to the cement floor in a most unmerciful manner. He was released only
after being stripped of his clothing, excepting one shoe and that having the
sole torn from the upper back to the heel, his left leg broken below the knee, the
bones protruding through the flesh, his chest crushed and many other injuries
inflicted.

Mr. Winn being conscious, however, told his son Harry to shut off the engine and call
for help. Harry rushed to the depot nearby for help and to telephone for a
doctor. He was taken home and despite the efforts of two doctors and every
other available assistance, he passed away about 1 o'clock Tuesday morning.

Lester R. Winn was born at Castalia, Dec. 1, 1871, and lived with his parents on a
farm near that place until reaching manhood. He was united in marriage to
Louise A. Robinson at Ortonville, Minn., in 1895, began married life at his
hometown, Castalia, where they resided until he entered the employ of a
creamery company and soon proved himself a successful butter maker. He was
transferred from one town to another in Iowa. He came from Dows to Bayard where
he remained in the employ of the Creamery Co, about six years. From here, he
went to Ross and from there to Anthon.

Mr. Winn was a splendid citizen quick to win the friendship of those he came in
contact with, honest, and upright and highly esteemed by his employers and by
all who knew him. Besides a host of friends here and elsewhere, he leaves to
mourn his loss a wife and two sons, John and Harry, another one was however born
to this union, Oren the eldest died at Maxwell, in 1898, also other relatives
being three brothers, Charles and Walter of Castalia, and Fred of Ossian, and
three sisters, Mrs. W.A. Harvey, Mrs. F.A. Stanley, and Mrs. Wm. Bloxham of
Castalia.

Mr. Winn was a member of the A.F.&A.M., Odd Fellows and Modern Woodman Lodges
of Bayard, immediately after receiving word of his death everything possible
was done by the lodges of Bayard of which Mr. Winn was a member and
arrangements made through the lodges at Anthon for his funeral.

The funeral services were conducted under the direction of the above lodges at
Anthon, and after a short sermon by Rev. Hanna, of the M.E. Church at the home
of the deceased Friday morning at 9am, the remains were conveyed via Council
Bluffs to Maxwell for burial, being accompanied by representatives of the above
three lodges, the Eastern Stars and officials of the town and friends and
relatives of the deceased, some going as far as Onawa where transfer was made
to the Northwestern train, with others going as far as Council Bluffs where
they were met by representatives of the three lodges of Bayard, other members getting
on the train at Bayard accompanied the remains to Maxwell where arrangements had
been perfected by the lodges at that place for final services and interment.

The people of Maxwell spared no pains to make everything agreeable and taking care
of the friends and relatives of the deceased.

The funeral and burial was held about 8 o'clock A.M. in order to give the Bayard
and Anthon people time to catch the west bound train which is due at Maxwell at
8:38 but owing to cold weather happened to be 40 minutes late.

John Scott, D.E. Boots, E.E. Pennington, J.W. Corrigan, W.H. Strauser and Miss Belva
Hughes from here attended the last services.