Owatonna Journal

January 24, 1913 page 1

MEETS DEATH IN RUNAWAY

Old and Well Known Farmer Victim of Runaway on Wednesday Afternoon.

Thrown from Wagon, He Receives a Brain Concussion Which Proves Fatal.

John Dusek, an old and well known farmer living east of the city, his farm being in both Havana and Owatonna townships, died Thursday morning at the city hospital as the result of being thrown from his wagon in a runaway accident the preceding afternoon.

It appears from the testimony of a number of witnesses to the accident, who are practically agreed on all vital points, that Dusek was driving towards town on south Cedar street, having a single horse and a democrat wagon. Along between the Evans residences he was overtaken and passed by Dr. A. B. Stewart in his automobile, running slowly on account of the slipperiness of the road. The horse, it is said, jumped slightly but was evidently easily controlled so far as the fright given it by the case was concerned. However, after getting the horse quieted, Dusek appeared to loose his temper, and jerked and struck the horse which thereupon bolted madly down the street, following the automobile, and the first thing that De. Stewart, and I. Bross who was with him knew, the horse jumped upon the platform at the rear of the car. Mr. Bross struck the animal in the face with his hat, thinking it might climb right over himself and the doctor, and the animal then slipped back off the rear and fell in the road. Even then Dusek was unable to control the horse, which, after getting to his feet, dashed on and turned into the driveway on the south side of the O. S. Crandall place. Here it was the Dusek was thrown from the wagon.

Dr, Stewart turned his car around at the next corner and hurried back to render what assistance might be needed. He found Dusek rather dazed, and his leg seemed to be hurt. Dusek was taken into the Heathman home for a time, and later removed to the hospital in Dr. Stewart's car. He declared he was all right, and wanted to walk out to the car, but the doctor would not permit it, fearing that there might be a fracture of the hip. On arrival at the hospital Dr. Stewart called in two other physicians to aid in making an examination, as under the circumstances he did not care to take all responsibility. Apparently Dusek was un-injured so far as any external evidence shoed, but at about seven o'clock in the evening he began sinking into a stupor, and early the next morning he passed away. It is supposed that some slight concussion of the brain combined with his age, caused the death.