Afton Star-Enterprise
July 30, 1908
John Paulus Jr., Meets Terrible
Death in Des Moines last
Sunday evening
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SHOE CAUGHT IN CAR TRACK
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Unable to Extricate His Feet He was
Dragged under Electric Car
To His Death
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John Paulus, aged 23 years, and a former resident of Afton and Dodge township, was run over by the street cars in Des Moines Sunday evening and so badly injured that he died a few hours later at the hospital. John was the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Paulus who have lived in this county a great many years, moving to Des Moines about two years ago where Mr. Paulus is pushing his patent hog trough device. His son, John has been a conductor on the streetcar most of the time since the family moved to Des Moines. He was unmarried.
The news of his untimely death caused great sorry to his many friends in this vicinity. John Paulus was a young man of splendid character and irreproachable habits. He was pleasant to meet and made friends easily.
The Register and Leader account of the accident which resulted in his death is as follows:
Catching the heel of his shoe in an obstruction in the roadway as he attempted to mount the front platform of a fair ground car at East Twentieth and Walnut streets last night, John Paulus, the conductor, slipped and fell under the wheels and killed.
The man's right leg was horribly mangled where one wheel passed over it, and he sustained ugly bruises on both legs. the accident occurred about 7 o'clock.
CAUGHT HIS HEEL
As his car, going east neared the Great Western crossing Paulus alighted and ran forward across the track to set the derailer. He gave his motorman, Frank Sulz, the signal to go ahead, and as the car neared him caught the handles of the front platform to swing himself upon the car.
But his left heel had caught in an obstruction, supposedly in a tie, and as he swung himself upward the heel of his show was torn entirely off. The resistance was sufficient to throw the right side of his body under the wheels.
The car was stopped as soon as possible and Paulus was extricated by passengers and the crew of a westbound car, waiting for Paulus' car to make the switch. He was first placed on the westbound car, but later removed to the side of the road and the police notified.
TERRIBLE BLOOD LOSS
The injured man was removed in the patrol wagon to Mercy Hospital as rapidly as possible, but during the journey Paulus lost an enormous amount of blood.
He was attended by Dr. Hanawait, the company physician, who made every effort to save the young mans' life, but Paulus passed away at 11:20 o'clock.
The remains were brought to Afton Wednesday, being accompanied by the immediate family and a delegation from the street railway conductors of Des Moines, who acted as pall bearers. A delegation of local woodmen met the remains at the depot and escorted them to the Methodist church where the funeral was held in the afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. Menoher being in charge. Burial being had at Greenlawn cemetery.
The street car conductors say that John was one of the most popular conductors in Des Moines and the motormen were always anxious to get him because he kept the cars on time and was courteous and obliging.
The family desires to express its sincere thanks to the Afton friends, also to the street car men of Des Moines for all they did to alleviate the sorrow of the family.
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