Aberdeen Daily News Monday, Oct 19, 1896
The injuries received by O. G. Brown late Saturday afternoon, a very brief mention of which was made by the NEWS, resulted in his death at 11 o’clock on Sunday forenoon. He was engaged in loading gravel and sand from a pit south of the city when a mass of earth from above gave way and drove him with great force agains his agony. His body from the hips down was enveloped , and his lower limbs were cruelly bent and turned. No one was with him at the time of the accident. Several boys heard his groans, however, and summoned D. A. Culbert and John Proud who were working in the vicinity. They hastily removed him from his fearful position and then saw that he was borne as carefully as possible to his home on Fourth avenue west. Dr. Murdy was called and upon examination found there were no external injuries of an alarming character. There was a bad bruise over one of the hips and a cut on the leg, both made when Mr. Brown was driven against his wagon. Mr. Brown thought from the first that he had received internal injuries in the region of the abdomen and lungs that would cause his death, and he so informed Mrs. Brown and those about him. So positive was his conviction in this respect that he made his will during the night and otherwise was prepared for his departure. He was not, he said, afraid to die, as he felt confident of immortality and happiness in the life to come. Everything possible was done for him. At 9, however, there was an alarming failure of life’s forces and shortly thereafter hope was quite generally surrendered though there was no abatement of effort to save him. Along toward morning he entered into a state of coma and was in that condition when death finally came. Prior to losing consciousness his sufferings had been great.
Otis G. Brown was one of the most exemplary citizens of Aberdeen and there is probably not a person who enjoyed his acquaintance who does not feel that a good man has departed. He was honorable in all his dealings and had no enemies. When such a man dies the whole community sustained a loss. He had been a resident of Aberdeen about fourteen years. While not intimately acquainted with all citizens, he was known by reputation at least to nearly everybody. On the 11th of this month he reached his 61st year.
He belonged to the M. E. church of Aberdeen, to the A. O. U. W. lodge of Whitewater, Wis., and to the Degree of Honor of this city. All his property interest were here. His immediate relatives were his present wife, to whom he ws married but three or four years ago, and a married daughter, Mrs. Nellie Bickford of Marshall, Minn., by a former marriage. He had several brothers and sisters in Wisconsin, New York and other eastern states, a niece in the person of Mrs. Dr. Warren of Mitchell, this state, and another niece in North Dakota. His daughter and various other relatives who can do so are expected to arrive tonight to attend the funeral. Rev. and Mrs. W. H. Cory of Centerville, relatives of Mr. Brown’s former wife, will also arrive tonight by the Milwaukee.
The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at the M. E. church under auspices of the A. O. U. W. and Degree of Honor. Rev. Mr. Nazarene will officiate. The casket will not be opened at the church, but friends desiring to view the remains can do so at the residence prior to the services at the church. Mrs. Brown and the sorrowing relatives and friends have the profound sympathy of all their acquaintances. In the fearful ordeal through which Mrs. Brown is passing she has been comforted and supported by the good offices of neighbors and friends. The belief that her husband has gone to a glorious reward is the greatest of consolations to her in this dark hour.
~Transcribed by volunteer researcher, Kathy Smith