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Fred D. Evans Died 1901

EVANS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/9/2018 at 22:43:04

Sioux City Journal
13 June 1901

Died Of His Injuries
Fred D. Evans, Whose Neck Was Dislocated in Ball Game, Gives Up Fight

Fred D. Evans, of Sergeant Bluff, died last night at his home from blood-poisoning resulting from injuries received two months ago in a ball game. He was widely known in northwestern Iowa, and where ever he was known he has a host of friends. The news of his death will come as a relief to those who were aware of his true condition and the hopelessness of his case. He was hurt on April 13, colliding with a baseman in a game with the Sioux City high school nine. He was unconscious when picked up, and upon examination it was found that his neck was dislocated between the fifth and sixth vertebrae. A small chance of recovery was held out to his family and friends. His legs were paralyzed but with the exception of a few days he has been conscious, suffering untold pain. He was cheerful in his misfortune and did not give up hope until a week ago.

Mr. Evans was married and had a young child. He was the dearest son in the world to his widowed mother who looked to him to take care of her property. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and also of the modern Woodmen, and his family will be left in comfortable circumstances. The young man is a nephew of W. H. McClusky, of this city, and a cousin of Roy S. Ripple.

The funeral will take place at Sergeant Bluff at 1 o’clock tomorrow. The interment will be in the cemetery at Sergeant Bluff, in charge of the Knights of Phthias and the Modern Woodmen will also assist.

Case Was Remarkable

“It is a very remarkable case,” said Dr. S. Staads, when told of the story of Evans’ injury. “I have known of but very few instances of it in my life. The only case similar to this one that I have heard of occurred in Philadelphia. The neck of the patient was broken, but the pressure was relieved by a surgical operation and he completely recovered.

“The scientific explanation of Evans living two months with a broken neck is simply that the pressure of the ends of the broken bones did not affect a vital center. If the pressure had been directed to some part of the spinal cord vital to the body, or if the spinal cord should have been compressed instantaneous death would have resulted. The pressure was in this case probably sideways, thus not affecting the spinal cord. His death was doubtless caused in the end by inflammation which set in at the point of fracture.


 

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