website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Walter Schmutzler
1881 - 1909
A Sad and Fatal Accident
Watertown
Gazette, 10 08 1909
The people of
Watertown were shocked last week to learn that Walter Schmutzler
had been fatally injured at Culbertson, Montana, where he has made his home for
several years. He and several others had
been on a hunting expedition on Sunday, September 26th, and on returning to
Culbertson while handling a rifle it was accidentally discharged, and the
bullet entered Walter's leg below the right knee and inflicted a severe wound
that terminated in blood poisoning and death.
On Monday, Sept.
27th, his parents, Ferd. Schmutzler
and wife, left for Culbertson, and took their son to St. Paul, where his leg
was amputated close to the body at St. Joseph's hospital on Thursday evening,
Sept. 30th, in hopes of saving his life, and he died next morning at
Walter at first
remonstrated against having his leg taken off and he was anxious to reach his
home in this city. He and his parents
started on the journey homeward, but on reaching St. Paul stopped to have the
leg dressed when it was found blood poisoning set in and it was thought the
only chance then of saying his life was to have his leg amputated, but he never
rallied after the amputation, which took place at 7:30 Thursday evening and he
died next morning at 8:30. He received the best of medical aid and had a
trained nurse, but all to no avail.
His body was brought
here by his parents Saturday morning, and Monday afternoon his funeral was held
from the home of his parents,
Deceased was born
History
of Watertown, Wisconsin