History: Fatal Accident - Kline - 1875
Contact: Vickie

----Source: The Clark County Press Date: 2-6-1875

Fatal Accident Last Friday, a German living near Loyal, named Kline, and aged about 58 years, met with an accident, from the effects of which he died about mid-night of that day. He was a farmer, and at the time of the accident was engaged with a little boy in chopping down a small dry basswood tree, for firewood. The old man having chopped the tree partly through stood leaning upon his ax while the boy completed the work. As the tree was falling the boy observed that it was falling directly thon the old gentlemen. He called to him apprising him of the fact, and in attempting to get out of the way he slipped and fell, the tree falling across his right leg just above the knee, crushing the bone and bursting the limb in a frightful manner. With the assistance of the boy he managed to roll the logoff from his leg, when they boy started too the house, distant about one-half mile, for assistance. It took considerable time to procure a hand-sled and sufficient help to remove him from the place where the accident occurred to the house, during which he had become greatly weakened by loss of blood and thoroughly chilled, from exposure. Dr. Lum was called by did nothing that could benefit the unfortunate man, and if reports are true, it is evident he did not understand the nature or extent of the injury, as he pronounced it trifling, and stated that he would be all right in fourteen days. Some of the neighbors not feeling satisfied with the opinion of Dr. Lum, sent for Dr. Thomas, of Greenwood, who came to find the man almost dead from the loss of blood, which Dr. Lum neglected or failed to check. He gave it as his opinion that amputation would be necessary to save life, but thought the patient too far gone to survive the operation. He asked that Dr. Lacey. Of this village, be sent for on Saturday, for consultation, should the injured man survive until that time. His death occurring as stated above, rendered the presence of Dr. Lacey unnecessary, and he was not called. Mr. Kline was a native of Germany, and emigrated to this country after the death of his wife to make his home with his daughter and her husband. They came from Monitowoc County last fall, and commenced the task of clearing up a farm near Loyal. The deceased was an honest, hard-working man, and during the short time he had been a resident of that locality, had won the respect and esteem of his neighbors, who manifested their sympathy and regard for the friends who mourn his loss, and their respect for dead by following his remains to their final resting place on Monday last.