Bio: Brandstedter, George (Fatal Accident - 1912)

Contact: Ann Stevens

Email:  sdann88@yahoo.com 
 

Surnames: Brandstedter 
 

----Source:  Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.)  Jan 25, 1912 
 

Brandstedter, George (Fatal Accident - 13 Jan 1912) 
 

George Brandstedter was instantly killed Saturday afternoon, Jan. 13, by being struck by train No. 170, a fast freight, at Humbird.  A valuable team was also killed and the bobsleds were reduced to splinters. 
 

Mr. Brandstedter was in Humbird with a load of buckwheat.  He had been to the mill and unloaded and was crossing the tracks back to town.  The railroad is a straight line for several miles on each side of Humbird and the only obstruction to a clear view of the track is caused by the depot.  This is located on the same side of the track from which George was coming and is the explanation for his not seeing the approaching train.  No. 170 is a fast freight.  Various estimates are made as to the speed it was running.  Some place it at 30 and others say it was going 60 miles an hour.  It was going so fast, at least, that when George saw it there was no time to get out of its way.  George was standing up driving and either his desire to save his team or becoming confused, he did not take the second of time to save his life. 
 

The pilot of the engine struck the rear end of the team and the front of the sleigh.  It threw Brandstedter several feet in the air, caught his body when it came down, rolling it under the car wheels for a distance of ten rods and literally chopping it to pieces.  The head was completely severed from the body, limbs were cut off and scattered along the track and when the train had passed, the track was covered with blood and portions of flesh for several rods. 
 

The district attorney of Clark county was notified.  A coroner’s inquest was held and a verdict returned bearing out the fact as stated above. - Fairchild Observer