KinSource - Tale of the Week - Walter Swenson Is Injured In Runaway

KinSource

Minnesota Tales

The New Richland Star, April 30, 1915, p. 1

WALTER SWENSON INJURED IN RUNAWAY

His Ear Is Ground Nearly Off and Shoulder Is Injured.

FELL FROM LOAD AND DRAGGED

Alex Hedin Acts Heroically and Saves Young Man's Life By Stopping Team

Otisco, Minn. - Walter Swenson, clerk at A. F. Lang's store has passed through the exciting and perilous experience of being dragged head downward, underneath a buggy more than two blocks with the team tearing along at a frantic runaway pace and to almost miraculously escape death. His injuries were limited to a badly torn left ear, part of which he will lose, and a badly bruised and lacerated shoulder and side. If no infections set in he will likely recover. The accident occurred Monday forenoon.

In the course of his duties at the store Walter had a occasion to take his father's team and was hauling some empty egg cases from Mr. Lang's warehouse west of the railroad track. He was seated on top of the load and in driving over the railroad crossing, which is always rough, the cases began tumbling from the load and frightened the team. Walter fell in front of the platform buggy and his foot was caught in the whiffle-trees and evener and he was held fast and helpless and dragged a distance of about forty rods with his head and shoulders on the ground.

Oscar Anderson, was standing in the doorway of the Perkins store and noticing Walter's predicament, managed to signal quickly to Alex Hedin who was driving toward the creamery. Alex saw the team racing toward him and leaped from his wagon in time to grab them by the bits and with heroic effort brought the horses to a stop.

Walter was released from his perilous position apparently more dead than alive. He was rendered such care as could be given him and Dr. E. J. Batchelder of New Richland was called. The lad's ear was ground almost to a pulp and the top part of it was gone. His shoulder was also badly lacerated from being dragged over the cinder road and he suffered many bruises. Upon the arrival of the physician the young man's wounds were dressed and he was made as comfortable as possible and has since been doing nicely.

Walter Swenson is a son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Swenson, residing between this place and New Richland and he is a fine young man about nineteen years of age. To the heroism of Mr. Hedin he owes his life. The team is a young one and had it not been stopped by Mr. Hedin undoubtedly would have gone home, a distance of four miles. The lad was so securely held that he could not hoped to have escaped. It is fortunate also that it was creamery morning and that Mr. Hedin was bound for the station.

Walter's many friends very much regret his injury and earnestly hope that he will soon recover.