Zimmerman, Clarence

Clarence Zimmerman, a young man of 17 years, met a frightful death in Medford township, Reno County , on Friday afternoon of last week. His body was found drawn tightly against the flywheel of a gasoline engine, which he had been attending. His clothing was torn from his body and tangled around the shaft. Around his neck, parts of his blouse was drawn so tightly as to choke him and to sever his jugular vein. Just how the accident ooccurred is not known, as he was alone at the time. He was apparently dead when found, giving only a gasp as he was cut away from the wheel. Clarence and his brother John aged 15 years, were grinding corn at the home place, one-half mile north of the Mennonite church. The gasoline engine was in the corn crib, and Clarence was attending it. John was in another part of the yard. He noticed that the engine had stopped and went to the crib to investigate. The awful condition of his brother met his gaze. Calling his mother from the house, the two with a pair of scissors cut the body away from the cruel iron and steel. He apparently breathed once and his spirit had fled.

Nickerson Argosy April 20, 1911