Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 135, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 November 1903 — Robert Michaels’ Sad News [ARTICLE]

Robert Michaels’ Sad News

His Son Wilbert Killed In North Dakota. Sad news indeed, and awfully -#r "f l sudden, came last Wednesday morning to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Michaels, formerly of Rensselaer, now of two miles southeast of town. Two telegrams for Mr. Michaels arrived from AVheatland, N, Dak., at . the same time, soon after 8 o’clock.

One of them, evidently sent a little before the other said: “Boy seriously injured. He wants you to come to him at Brainard.” The other sent some later, but how much later there is no present means of J.knowing, said the boy was dead, and asked directions as to the disposal of the body. The young man’s name was Wilbert Ray Michaels. Ho went to North Dakota about two years ago, and for some time has been working on the Northern Pacific as a brakesman. No particulars were given of his accident but presumably it occured while engaged jin his duties, as a. brakeman. He would have been 21 years old next January. He was a good and affectionate son, and the awful and wholly unexpected news of his death is a terrible blow to his parents. Directions for returning the body to Rensselaer, by express were sent by telegraph, and it will probably arrive Friday or Saturday .morning at the latest.