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*DOUBLE DROWNING SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN LONG LAKE
Albert Lindquist, Brother of Sheriff Lindquist and Melvin Haugen, Son of Mr. and Mrs. Ole K. Haugen were the victims--Bodies Seined Out
Funerals Were Largely Attended.
This Community and the Kansas Lake Community
Extend Deepest Sympathy to the Bereaved Families
Sunday afternoon about five o�clock Melvin Haugen, son of Mr. and Mrs. O. K. Haugen, of this city and his uncle, Albert Lindquist, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gust Lindquist, were drowned in Long Lake. For more than 50 years the boys and young men of the county have been going to Long Lake to bathe in the summer time. In all these years the lake has never claimed a victim until now.
Just how the accident happened will never be known. Melvin Haugen was a boy 15 years of age. He has been working this summer on the farm of his uncle, Elof Erickson, and on Sundays generally went over to his grand-parents� to spend the day. He was over there Sunday afternoon and suggested to his uncle, Albert Lindquist, that they go in bathing. He put on his bathing suit at the house but his uncle went down by the lake shore behind some bushes and donned his bathing suit. Albert Lindquist was a good swimmer, having swam across the lake many times. The boy was learning to swim. It is supposed that after being in the water a short time that Melvin got a cramp, and went down and that his uncle in trying to save him was also dragged down and was unable to save himself or the boy. Mr. and Mrs. Lindquist sitting on the lawn at the house heard the boys cry of distress and Mr. Lindquist went immediately to the lake shore. He saw Albert�s clothes on the bank and out some four rods he saw small ripples on the water that soon disappeared. A lady was on the other side of the lake saw the boys go down and hastened around the end of the lake to give the alarm. On the south side of the lake and about a half a mile from where the boys went in there were more than 100 bathers in the water, and among them Sheriff Lindquist, brother of Albert Lindquist, the drowned man. The word soon reached there that a couple of boys had been drowned and to get boats and go there at once. August hastened with all speed to get on his clothes and get in a boat and row rapidly to the west end of the lake. Two other boats went along and some boys who could dive. When they reached the place as near as they could judge, the boys repeatedly dived in an effort to find the bodies. This failing, a long fish net was finely secured and the lake dragged. The first drag was without success, but the second effort brought bodies in the net.
The first shock to the parents of the boy and the man was almost more than they could bear. By the time the bodies were found they had been in the water nearly two hours. Dr. Thompson had been summoned and was there when they were taken from the water. He did all that was possible to restore life, but they had been in the water too long. The bodies were taken in automobiles to Benson�s undertaking parlors.
Sheriff Lindquist did not know until after he reached the place where the boys went down that it was his own brother that was one of the victims.
Melvin Haugen�s Funeral Tuesday.
The funeral of Melvin Haugen was held at the house and the Norwegian Lutheran church Tuesday afternoon, Rev. M. K. Hartman being in charge. The church was more that filled with sympathizing friends. The choir sang three numbers and Madam de Rochlenge sang a solo. Rev Hartman spoke words of comfort from the text found in one of the Psalms. �They That Sow in Tears Shall Reap in Joy.� There was a profusion of floral offerings from friends. Six of his playmates acted as pallbearers. The remains were laid to rest in Mt. Hope cemetery.
Besides his parents, Melvin leaves to mourn two brothers, Philip and Conrad. He was a bright and likable boy. Active whether at work or play. He had been confirmed from the Norwegian Lutheran church. At school he stood high in his studies and was a general favorite among his playmates.
The Plaindealer joins the community in extending its sympathy to the bereaved families.
Albert Lindquist�s Funeral Wednesday
The funeral of Albert Lindquist the other victim of the drowning was held Wednesday from the home of his parents; Mr. and Mrs. Gust Lindquist and from the Kansas Lake church, Rev. F. A. Conrad officiating. It was very largely attended and the floral offerings were many and beautiful. A large number of friends followed the remains to their last resting place. Albert Lindquist was a single man. He had made his home with his parents and when they became aged he took the burden of cares from their shoulders. He had been specially kind and helpful to his mother and the blow to her is very great. Only a week before, as she sat looking over the lake from the house he said �Long Lake is a beautify lake and in the 50 years we have lived near it there has not been a drowning in it.� Her boys had swam in it from the time they were mere children.
Albert Lindquist leaves besides his parents, two brothers, August and Edward, and two sisters, Mrs. Elof Erickson and Mrs. O. K. Haugen.
St. James Plaindealer, 22 July 1917, 1:3-4
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*�Mrs Augusta Lindquist, a Pioneer Homestead Settler Dies at Her Home in City�
Funeral Services are Held at House and at Kansas Lake Church-
Deceased a Faithful
Church Worker, Loving Mother--Leaves Four Children.
Funeral services were held Tuesday afternooon for Mrs. Augusta Lindquist, who passed away at her home in St. James at 12:05 o�clock Saturday morning. Kidney trouble and urine poisoning were the cause. She has been ailing since last fall and had been in bed since New Year�s Day. The last serious illness lasted only three days.
Buried at Kansas Lake
Dr. L. H. Beck of St. James and Rev. P. A. Edquist of Kansas Lake officiated at the services which were held at the house in St. James at 1 o�clock and at the Kansas Lake church at 2:30 o�clock. Mrs. Beck sang two solos at the houe, one in Swedish and one in English and the choir had charge of the music there. Burial was in Kansas Lake cemetery beside her husband.
The pail berers were: Otto Howe, L. Boen, Frank Erickson and G. A. Olson from the country and Thos. Offerdahl and A. M. Hanson from St. James.
Mrs. Lindquist is one of the last of the hardy race of pioneer settlers in this community to pass away. She died at the age of 86 years. She came to this country in 1865 and took up a homestead with her husband. She lived on the shore of Long Lake until seven years ago when she moved to St. James. She has made her home alone sincee her husband�s death two years ago.
Fine Character
Mother Lindquist as she is affectionately known by her children was a lady of exceptionally fine character. She was devoted to her husband and family and carefully reared her children in the love of God. Her religious life was her chief hobby. She was an ardent supporter of teh Kansas Lake church and devoted time and work for its good. She entertained ministers and religious workers and worked in the aid society.
Mrs. Lindquist held first place in the affection of her children. They cared for her and ministered to her every need. Her two daughers, Mrs. O. K. Haugen and Mrs. Elof Erickson took care of her during her last illness and didd all that loving hands could do. The fine old lady passed on perfectly happy and contented to go.
Born in Sweden
Augusta Carlson Essling was born in Dalsland, Sweden, Nov. 10 1941. She came with her family to this country and settled in Nicollet county. She was married to Gustav Lindquist in 1868. They came to this county the next year to live on Mr. Holmquist�s homestead. They paid $16 for the lumber for their first home and $6 to have it hauled from Mankato. They lived in that rude dwelling for five years and remained on the farm 47 years. During that time Mr. Lindquist improved the place, was a hard working careful farmer, got into the pure bred horse and cattle business and became a well-to-do progressive modern farmer. He and his wife were always interested and worked for the best things of the community.
The deceased leaves four children: Edward on the home place, August, Mrs. O. K. Haugen and Mrs. Elof Erickson of St. James. She has two brothers (twins) Andrew Essing of Lafayette and Edward Essling, St. Peter, a sister, Mrs. Christine Nelson of Atwater; also six grandchildren.
Philip Haugen, Eau Claire, Wis., and Conrad Haugen, Evelyth, Minn., came Monday evening for the funeral. The two brothers were here the first of the week.
Mrs. E. W. Maimberg and Mrs. John Ecksberg of Lafayette, Minn., were also here.
The paper extends sympathy to the bereaved.
(no paper or date cited)
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*Gustav Lindquist Dead at Age Eighty-Six
Another of the old pioneers of Watonwan county has crossed the big divide. Gustav Lindquist, old and highly respected citizen, closed his earthly career when death came to him at his home in St. James last Saturday evening, January 9th, at 10:45, death resulting from heart trouble. He had been ailing during the fall and early winter months and for five weeks was confined to his bed. Had he lived until the 24th of March of the present year he would have attained the age of eight-seven years.
Born in Sweden, March 24th, 1839, deceased came to America in 1865, locating in Washington county, Minnesota, where he was engaged in a tannery and also in a saw mill for some time, later becoming a railroad contractor. For two years he was engaged as boss of a construction crew working from LeSueur to Lake Crystal when the Omaha railroad was being built through this part of the state.
In 1868 he was united in marriage to Augusta Carlson Essling in Nicolett county and in 1869 took up a homestead in Long Lake township, Watonwan county, where he became one of the pioneer settlers, passing through all the hardships of earlier days, including the Indian uprisings. But he worked and prospered and contributed much to the development of that part of the country where he had established his home. Five years ago the old people quit the farm and came to St. James to spend their declining years. Mr. Lindquist was a member of the Kansas Lake Swedish Lutheran congregation and enjoyed the highest esteem and trough respect of a vast circle of friends and acquaintances. His outstanding characteristic was his kindness toward everyone and he was generous in his help to those in need.
Besides, the aged and sorrowing wife Mr. Lindquist is survived by two daughters and two sons, Mrs. O. K. Haugen, Mrs. Elof Erickson and August E. Lindquist, all of St. James and Edward who lives on the old home farm on the north shore of Long Lake. One brother, Andrew, of Forest Lake, Minn, four sisters and six grand-children also survive him.
Funeral services were held yesterday (Wednesday) at the home and at 2:30 at the Kansas Lake church. Rev Edquist, pastor, speaking in the English language and Rev. Dr. Beck of the Augustana Lutheran church of St. James speaking in the Swedish language. Interment took place at the Kansas Lake cemetery beside the remains of a son Albert, who preceded the father in death eight years ago. G. A. Olson, Thos. Offerdahl, A. M. Hanson, Otto M. Howe, Louis Boen and Frank Erickson acted as pall bearers.
Out of town relatives in attendance oat the funeral were Mrs. Gyllstrom, a sister, of Stillwater, Andrew Lindquist, a brother, of Forest Lake, Minn., Philip Haugen, a grand-son, also a grand-son of Eau Claire, Wis., Conrad Haugen, also a grand-son, of Eveleth, Minn., Miss Luella Lindquist, a granddaughter, who attends G. A. College at St. Peter, Edward Essling of St. Peter, Andrew Essling, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Malmberg, Mr. and Mrs. Eckberg, and Mr. Alfred Webster of LaFayette, Minn.
St. James Independent, 14 Jan 1926, 1:5-6 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~