anaheim-gazette 1907-10-17

DEATH LURKED IN WELLPIT Falling Pipe Strikes George L. Wagner on Head, Penetrating Brain—Water Rises Over Him George L. Wagner, the well-known East Side potato grower, was killed in his wellpit on Friday morning some time after 8 o'clock. He was engaged in repairing the half-inch priming pipe, which conducts water into the pump for purposes of excluding air. The pipe leaked, interfering with the effectiveness of the pump. He was seated upon the pump, which was supported by a scaffolding from above, sixty feet below the surface. The pit was 85 feet deep, and contained 25 feet of water. In some manner the priming pipe, which was attached to a hose leading from the wellpit overhead, became disconnected at one of the joints, and a piece eighteen feet long dropped a distance of more than forty feet from its accustomed place in the pit. While the unfortunate man was engaged in these repairs the falling pipe struck him on the head, penetrating the brain a depth of four inches, and producing instantaneous death. Mr. Wagner fell from the pump, but elutched the pipe with a death grip. He remained with his head above water, but when the engine was later stopped, for it was noted that something was wrong, the water, which lowered several feet during pumping, rose again to its former level. As if the manner of his death were not sufficient to open the opening of the Alexander Los Angeles, he entered competition for furnishing that hostelry by the company competed against Salinboldt and other up-corbers at an elaborate test call the hotel's chef. His potash such superiority that he won the victory. He thereafter toes to the hotel by the car. He was deservedly popular wide circle of friends. Composed courteous to all, his numbered on all sides. The community news of his came as a great shock, and deep regret is felt over his end. He leaves a wifefamily a year old. It is learned that Mr. Wagner rowly escaped a similar wellpit some days before priming pipe fell from overrowly missing him while the pit. IRRIGATORS IN COURT Seek Injunction Again Diversion of Water River Water Grabber Valley irrigators are again seeking an injunction restricting side water grabbers from diverting water from the river has been filed in the superintendent county by the Santa Ana Development Company again cally the same defendant. Mr. Wagner fell from the pump, but elutched the pipe with a death grip. He remained with his head above water, but when the engine was later stopped, for it was noted that something was wrong, the water, which lowered several feet during pumping, rose again to its former level. As if the manner of his death were not sufficiently horrible, the water gradually rose above him, seeming intent upon sealing the fate of its unhappy victim. His hand still clutching the pipe overhead, the body floated in the rising tide, the hand being submerged a distance of several inches. Before long it was noted that Mr. Wagner was missing. The engine, owing to lack of fuel, was acting improperly. His brother Ed, noting the engine was not acting right, shut off steam. He called to his brother and received no reply. He went to the pit and called. The dead man below did not hear. Ed sent a messenger to his brother Will, who was operating a gasoline engine in an adjoining potato field, saying George was missing. A messenger was sent to the residence of Mr. Winney, father of Mrs. Wagner, but he had not seen the missing man. Mr. Winney joined in the search. The men assembled at the pit. A number of neighbors joined in the search. Noting the absence of the priming pipe, and fearing all was not right in the pit, Ed hastily descended the ladder to the water level. In the darkness of the pit he did not discern the body loitering with Death beneath the water. Redoubled efforts were made to locate the missing man about the farm. His watch hung at its accustomed place in the engine room. Failing to find him, Reynard Dinkler, an employee at the ranch, determined again to search the pit, and, lantern in hand, descended to the water line. There, his lantern lighting up the depths, he behold the hand of his employer several inches below the water. The priming pipe, still imbedded in the head, held the unfortunate man sternly in the grip of death. The body was with difficulty raised find him, Reynard Dinkler, an employee at the ranch, determined again to search the pit, and, lantern in hand, descended to the water line. There, his lantern lighting up the depths, he behold the hand of his employer several inches below the water. The priming pipe, still imbedded in the head, held the unfortunate man sternly in the grip of death. The body was with difficulty raised to the surface by means of a rope. The vice-like grip upon the pipe necessitated renewed exertion to dislodge. Dr. Johnston, who was immediately telephoned for, found that life was quite extinct. The grief-stricken widow, as well as the three brothers on the ranch, were overcome by the tragedy. The parents of the dead man were telegraphed to at Banning. They arrived, in company of their daughter, Miss Clara Wagner, on the midnight train. They had not been told the nature of the tragedy, and were prostrated on reaching their home to find their loved one, who had recently returned from Banning, silent in the arms of the Reaper. George L. Wagner, who thus met an accidental death in the flower of his young manhood, was in his twenty-sixth year. He was a native of Illinois, and had resided here for a number of years. He had demonstrated the success of potato culture, and with his brothers had attained a large measure of profit at the industry. The three brothers, George, Will and Clarence, cultivated 120 acres on the East Side, and the present season's fall crop is up and promising well. Their spring crop was all disposed of at remunerative prices. A year or more ago, at the time of (1) That the plaintiff titled to have all the wives Santa Ana river, both surface surface, flow down to, and over each of the parcels of plaintiff Santa Ana River Company and down to the version of the plaintiff Union Water Company and Irrigation Company. (2) That the defendants have a right divert any of the surface face water of said stream same upon non-riparian land before alleged. (3) That the plaintiffs to have the said wives Santa Ana river, both surface surface, flow down to, along over the land of the plaintiff River Development Company the point of diversion of the Anaheim Union Water Company Santa Ana Valley Irrigation be quieted against any and of any and all of the defences that each and all of the defendants from in any way with the waters of said stream venting the same from so far to, along by and over the plaintiff Santa Ana Riverment Company and down to of diversion of the plaintiff Union Water Company and Valley Irrigation Company from pumping or using, and fore alleged, any of the water stream upon any of said lands. (5) For such other relief as to the court seems premises. The complaint by M. Nisson, one of the plaintiffs to John D. Pope and A. W. Los Angeles, R. Melrose and E. E. Keech of Santa Ana THE LAST TENDER TRIBUTES Tear-Dimmed Eyes at Funeral of George Wagner—Services at Methodist Church—Biographical Sketch. The mortal remains of George L. Wagner, who met his death in such tragic manner on Friday morning, were tenderly borne to the grave on Sunday afternoon. Never was the Methodist church, of which deceased had been in his lifetime a member, so filled with friends gathered to pay their last tribute of respect to the dead. The sacred edifice was filled to the doors. Men and women stood in the vestibule, and it was with difficulty the funeral party accompanying the casket entered. Many were gathered about the church, unable to gain admittance. The adjacent streets were filled with vehicles which brought friends to the church. Friends gathered at the residence on the East Side, and followed the funeral cortex to the Methodist church. The sorrowing mother, supported by two sturdy sons, followed the casket, which was covered with flowers. The widow and sister of deceased came next, supported by members of the family. The aged father and other relatives were present. The choir sang softly, "Shall We Gather at the River?" Rev. Moore read from the scriptures, beginning at the 90th Psalm. The choir sang "One by One," after which Rev. Haffen, who came from Riverside to attend the service, offered prayer. Rev. Moore gave a brief biographical Water Grabbers. By irrigators are again in court an injunction restraining Rivwater grabbers from illegally giving water from the river. Suit is filed in the superior court of County by the Santa Ana River Development Company against practicies same defendants named in recently filed by the Santa Ana River Development Company in Garles. Suit is based not only upon the rights of the Development Company, but also upon the riparian and use of all the waters of the ana river in this county. Actions are entirely indepeneach other and one cannot be in bar of the other because in different jurisdictions, this being under State, and the in Los Angeles being under jurisdiction. TITLE OF CASE. Title of the case is as follows: Ana River Development Comcorporation, Anaheim Union Company, a corporation, and Ana Valley Irrigation Company, operation, plaintiffs, vs. Gage CaRiverside Highland Water Co., Side Water Co., West Riverside Water Co., Stearns Ranchos Agers Development Co., Excelland Co., Rivino Land Co., Rivino Co., Rosedale Water Co., John Auburndale Development Co., Riverside, City of San BernarC. Patton, Fred Hizer, C. W. C. C. Pond, Richard Roe McFrancis Cuttle, Z. T. Brown, Evans, Mary T. Smith, F. H. Robert Baldwin, Claus Ahlf, Hall, Richard Roe, John Doe, Doe and Peter Roe, defendants. wing is the prayer of the com- (1) That the plaintiffs are ento have all the waters of the ana river, both surface and subflow down to, and along by and both of the parcels of land of the Santa Ana River Development by and down to the point of diof the plaintiffs Anaheim Water Company and Santa Ana Company. (2) That none of endants have a right to pump or wave the surface on sub-surnext, supported by members of the family. The aged father and other relatives were present. The choir sang softly, "Shall We Gather at the River?" Rev. Moore read from the scriptures, beginning at the 90th Psalm. The choir sang "One by One," after which Rev. Haffen, who came from Riverside to attend the service, offered prayer. Rev. Moore gave a brief biographical sketch of deceased, saying: OBITUARY. "George Wagner was born in Blue Island, Ill., on the 25th day of September, 1881. He was in every sense of the word a wideawake young man; his health had always been of a rugged nature, and his mind alert and keen in the management and disposition of affairs. He came west fifteen years ago, held a responsible position in a bank in Arizona for some time, and has since then made splendid and successful development on a large ranch and pumping plant near the city of Anaheim. On the 5th day of March, 1905, he was united in holy wedlock to Miss Rena Winney. The happiness of their marriage has been greatly augmented in the birth of a dear little girl—precious Rose—who at first sight wins the affections of everybody. Brother Wagner became a christian early in life; his character having been developed in a truly christian home. He was a loyal member of the First Methodist church, this city, and leaves for the comfort of these sadly bereft hearts the assurance of his transfer to the general assembly of the church of the first born which are written in heaven. On Friday, October 11th, he fell asleep. Beloved, in this sad bereavement you are not alone; there has been awakened a sympathetic chord in every heart; this whole community is wrapped in mourning and grief on account of the sad accident which has so suddenly removed a dear brother from our midst. Your loss is our loss, your sorrow our sorrow. We are afflicted with you in the loss of our friend—a true man, a brother beloved. Yet, "Earth bath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal." "Our Heavenly Father knows." His unspeakable love will sustain and comfort until the glorious morning when we shall meet to part no more forever." (1) That the plaintiffs are envoys have all the waters of the Santa Ana River, both surface and sub-surface flow down to, and along by and north of the parcels of land of the Santa Ana River Development Company and Santa Ana Water Company and Santa Ana Irrigation Company, and down to the point of diversion of the plaintiffs Union Water Company and Santa Valley Irrigation Company, freed against any and all claims and all of the defendants. (2) That none of the defendants have a right to pump or any of the surface or sub-surface of said stream and use the non-riparian lands as herin-alleged. (3) That the right of us to have the said waters of the Santa Ana River, both surface and sub-surface flow down to, along by and north of the plaintiffs Union Water Company and Santa Valley Irrigation Company, freed against any and all claims and all of the defendants. (4) Such and all of the defendants be held from in any way interfering with the waters of said stream or pre-diving from so flowing down by and over the lands of the Santa Ana River Development Company and down to the point diversion of the plaintiffs Union Water Company and Santa Valley Irrigation Company, and also pumping or using, as herein-begged, any of the waters of said upon any of said non-riparian lands. (5) For such other and further to the court seems meet in the case. The complaint is sworn toisson, one of the directors in Santa Ana River Development Company, and attorneys for plaintiffs D. Pope and A. W. Hutton of Angeles, R. Melrose of Anaheim, E. Keech of Santa Ana. The assemblage was given an opportunity of viewing the remains after the services. The crowd filed past the casket, and many eyes were dimmed with tears as they looked upon the face of their dead friend. The march to the cemetery was resumed, and the remains tenderly consigned to their last resting place. The pallbearers were Frank Borth, C. M. Lawrence, A. M. Clauson, Fred Dinkler, L. Hemmerling and Floyd Kealiher. For a good ride call on O. M. Skinner & Son and have their salesman demonstrate the good qualities of the Reo, the speediest and most powerful two cylinder car on the market. Headquarters, Anaheim Garage, Anaheim; Santa Ana branch, Music, Dance Come a Heat Where you want it— When you want it— No smoke—no smell—no trouble. Often you want heat in a hurry in some room in the house the furnace does not reach. It's so easy to pick up and carry a PERFECTION Oil Heater (Equipped with Smokeless Device) to the room you want to heat—suitable for any room in the house. 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If you cannot obtain the Perfection Oil Heater or Rayo Lamp from your dealer write to our nearest agency for descriptive circular, STANDARD OIL COMPANY (Incorporated) Last of the Season. Turner Picnic ON SUNDAY, OCT. 20 AT Columbia Gardens. Music, Anaheim brass band. Dancing Platform for Young Folks. Music, Anaheim brass band. Dancing Platform for Young Folks. Home and Have a Good Time... Attention, Veterans The Orange County Veterans' association will hold its 18th annual meeting at G. A. R. hall, Santa Ana, October 23, 1907. Business meeting 10 a.m. sharp. Basket dinner in banquet room of the hall. Coffees and dishes furnished by Ana Ana post and corps. After-meeting at 1:30 p.m., with provisions consisting of music and short matches. All Union soldiers, sailors and their families, members of corps, circles, sons and daughs of veterans, veterans of the civil Spanish wars, and all patriotic leaders are cordially invited to be present. Come with your baskets filled, and spend the day. 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