John Chesbeck

CHESBECK

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 1/16/2018 at 09:16:46

14 January 1909 - West Branch Times

John Chesbeck, who has been an employe of the Cedar Valley quarries for a number of years, is lying at Mercy hospital at Iowa City with his head badly lacerated, probably both eyes gone and the side of his face crushed. Chesbeck had charge of the dynamiting. On Saturday morning at eleven o'clock seven charges were set in holes and touched off at once by electric battery. One failed to explode and, while working at this, he either stuck it with his bar or produced concession sufficient to explode the charge while he was directly over it. The charge struck him fully in the face producing the above results.

Mr. Chesbeck is a man about 65 years of age and came here at the opening of the quarries by Mr. Beeler, about 25 years ago, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. The sympathy of the community is extended to the family, which consists of a wife, three daughters and six sons, all grown.

Later--The victim of this terrible accident died Tuesday evening at the hospital. His funeral will take place at the Murphy undertaking parlors Friday morning, at 8 o'clock. His remains will be laid to rest in the Bohemian Catholic cemetery at Iowa City.

The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved family.