Son of Martin
PELSTER, MARTIN
Shocking Fatal Accident – Caught by a Revolving Shaft and Beaten to Death
It becomes our sad duty to chronicle the very sudden and tragic ending of Martin Pelster, a young man well known in this community. He was employed at the mill of Salmon & Pelster on North Ravine, about two miles west of Auburn. It is a small custom mill of five stamps, run by water power, and his father is one of the owners. Martin and his father were in the habit of relieving each other at the work, the former working at night and the latter during the daytime. On Tuesday evening, Martin, as usual, was at his post all alone. About half past ten o'clock he was heard by Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Gwynn, who live a short distance from the reservoir, whistling. At this time it is thought he was regulating the water supply. Soon after, they noticed by the sound of the mill machinery that the battery was running slower and with somewhat irregular motion, though the fact excited no particular comment at the time. But, as subsequent developments clearly indicate, it must have been about this time that the unfortunate youth met his death which occurred under the following circumstances: It appears that he ascended to a raised footway or platform to oil the machinery. On one end of a rotating iron shaft, close to which he stood, some empty sacks had been fastened by means of wires to keep the oil from dripping. This wire caught his clothing, and in a moment he was wound up close and tight and was in the pitiless clutch of the unyielding monster. The ill-fated young man was carried round and round, his legs at every revolution striking against a 20-inch beam above and another large beam below. The period of his suffering is a matter of mere conjecture. In the morning when the father came to work, little dreaming of the fearful and untimely end of his one remaining boy, he was almost paralyzed with grief to find only his dismembered remains. He ran frantically to the house of Mr. Gwynn, who came out to meet him. Upon inquiry being made as to the cause of his haggard, wild appearance, the broken-hearted father only swung his hands above his head and exclaimed, "Oh, God! My boy" My boy!" This was all the information Mr. Gwynn could obtain except, "Run to the mill and see." Both men ran back to the scene of carnage. Mr. Gwynn, being younger, was there first. He looked around in the mill for the young man, but not seeing him, he cast a glance upward at the shaft and saw the shreds of clothing. That told the dreadful story. A moment later, he picked up part of a foot, and then taking a gold pan, filled it with the torn and mutilated remains. But the details are too sickening to dwell upon. Looking through outside, Mr. Gwynn saw the now crazed father trying evidently to beat out his own brains with a stone. He at once interposed to prevent this and led the poor man away. The funeral, which was largely attended, took place from Pellow's Hotel near Ophir on Thursday. The remains were deposited in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Auburn.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
about Martin Pelster's Family
1860 United States Federal Census about Martin Pelstin
Home in 1860: Township 7, Placer, California
Post Office: Iowa Hill
Martin Pelstin 33
Elizabeth Pelstin 25 born in Ireland
Martin Pelstin 3
Clemens Pelstin 5/12 - 5 mos
1870 United States Federal Census about Martin Palster
Post Office: Bath
Home in 1870: Township 7, Placer, California
Household Members:
Name Age
Martin Pelster 44 father b: in Prussia abt 1826
He married on May 22, 1888 in Auburn,Ca
Carmelita Maria HERMOSILLA - 2ND WIFE
The following account was documented in the Argus Newpaper on April 18, 1874
Martin Pelster SHOT her ex-husband Alonzo Henry Dake
that is interned here.
b: 16 JUN 1844 in Concepción, Bio-Bio, Chile
d: 28 OCT 1907 in Oakland, Alameda, California, USA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Martin Pelster 13 b: in PA abt 1857
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2. Julia Pelster 9 b: in CA abt 1861
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3. *John James b: in CA abt 1863 d: Apr 2, 1921
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4. William H. Pelster 5 born in CA abt 1865
1930 census shows he was married to:
Eunice Bonham b: abt 1876 in Iowa
Children:
4a.William "Willie" born Mar 1889
4b. Frank Leslie b: Jun 27, 1891 in CA d: Apr 2, 1968 in San Francisco
married: Ethel Johnson A. b: Mar 5, 1893 in CA d: Feb 9, 1967 in San Mateo. Her mother was Rose "Carroll" Johnson
Frank & Ethel's daughter
Ethel Marie b: Jul 12, 1918
4c. Clara b: Dec 29 1894 in CA d: May 15,1944 San Mateo Co. CA
5. Minerva Pelster b: in CA abt 1867
PELSTER, MARTIN
Shocking Fatal Accident – Caught by a Revolving Shaft and Beaten to Death
It becomes our sad duty to chronicle the very sudden and tragic ending of Martin Pelster, a young man well known in this community. He was employed at the mill of Salmon & Pelster on North Ravine, about two miles west of Auburn. It is a small custom mill of five stamps, run by water power, and his father is one of the owners. Martin and his father were in the habit of relieving each other at the work, the former working at night and the latter during the daytime. On Tuesday evening, Martin, as usual, was at his post all alone. About half past ten o'clock he was heard by Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Gwynn, who live a short distance from the reservoir, whistling. At this time it is thought he was regulating the water supply. Soon after, they noticed by the sound of the mill machinery that the battery was running slower and with somewhat irregular motion, though the fact excited no particular comment at the time. But, as subsequent developments clearly indicate, it must have been about this time that the unfortunate youth met his death which occurred under the following circumstances: It appears that he ascended to a raised footway or platform to oil the machinery. On one end of a rotating iron shaft, close to which he stood, some empty sacks had been fastened by means of wires to keep the oil from dripping. This wire caught his clothing, and in a moment he was wound up close and tight and was in the pitiless clutch of the unyielding monster. The ill-fated young man was carried round and round, his legs at every revolution striking against a 20-inch beam above and another large beam below. The period of his suffering is a matter of mere conjecture. In the morning when the father came to work, little dreaming of the fearful and untimely end of his one remaining boy, he was almost paralyzed with grief to find only his dismembered remains. He ran frantically to the house of Mr. Gwynn, who came out to meet him. Upon inquiry being made as to the cause of his haggard, wild appearance, the broken-hearted father only swung his hands above his head and exclaimed, "Oh, God! My boy" My boy!" This was all the information Mr. Gwynn could obtain except, "Run to the mill and see." Both men ran back to the scene of carnage. Mr. Gwynn, being younger, was there first. He looked around in the mill for the young man, but not seeing him, he cast a glance upward at the shaft and saw the shreds of clothing. That told the dreadful story. A moment later, he picked up part of a foot, and then taking a gold pan, filled it with the torn and mutilated remains. But the details are too sickening to dwell upon. Looking through outside, Mr. Gwynn saw the now crazed father trying evidently to beat out his own brains with a stone. He at once interposed to prevent this and led the poor man away. The funeral, which was largely attended, took place from Pellow's Hotel near Ophir on Thursday. The remains were deposited in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Auburn.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
about Martin Pelster's Family
1860 United States Federal Census about Martin Pelstin
Home in 1860: Township 7, Placer, California
Post Office: Iowa Hill
Martin Pelstin 33
Elizabeth Pelstin 25 born in Ireland
Martin Pelstin 3
Clemens Pelstin 5/12 - 5 mos
1870 United States Federal Census about Martin Palster
Post Office: Bath
Home in 1870: Township 7, Placer, California
Household Members:
Name Age
Martin Pelster 44 father b: in Prussia abt 1826
He married on May 22, 1888 in Auburn,Ca
Carmelita Maria HERMOSILLA - 2ND WIFE
The following account was documented in the Argus Newpaper on April 18, 1874
Martin Pelster SHOT her ex-husband Alonzo Henry Dake
that is interned here.
b: 16 JUN 1844 in Concepción, Bio-Bio, Chile
d: 28 OCT 1907 in Oakland, Alameda, California, USA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Martin Pelster 13 b: in PA abt 1857
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2. Julia Pelster 9 b: in CA abt 1861
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3. *John James b: in CA abt 1863 d: Apr 2, 1921
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4. William H. Pelster 5 born in CA abt 1865
1930 census shows he was married to:
Eunice Bonham b: abt 1876 in Iowa
Children:
4a.William "Willie" born Mar 1889
4b. Frank Leslie b: Jun 27, 1891 in CA d: Apr 2, 1968 in San Francisco
married: Ethel Johnson A. b: Mar 5, 1893 in CA d: Feb 9, 1967 in San Mateo. Her mother was Rose "Carroll" Johnson
Frank & Ethel's daughter
Ethel Marie b: Jul 12, 1918
4c. Clara b: Dec 29 1894 in CA d: May 15,1944 San Mateo Co. CA
5. Minerva Pelster b: in CA abt 1867
Son of Martin
PELSTER, MARTIN
Shocking Fatal Accident – Caught by a Revolving Shaft and Beaten to Death
It becomes our sad duty to chronicle the very sudden and tragic ending of Martin Pelster, a young man well known in this community. He was employed at the mill of Salmon & Pelster on North Ravine, about two miles west of Auburn. It is a small custom mill of five stamps, run by water power, and his father is one of the owners. Martin and his father were in the habit of relieving each other at the work, the former working at night and the latter during the daytime. On Tuesday evening, Martin, as usual, was at his post all alone. About half past ten o'clock he was heard by Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Gwynn, who live a short distance from the reservoir, whistling. At this time it is thought he was regulating the water supply. Soon after, they noticed by the sound of the mill machinery that the battery was running slower and with somewhat irregular motion, though the fact excited no particular comment at the time. But, as subsequent developments clearly indicate, it must have been about this time that the unfortunate youth met his death which occurred under the following circumstances: It appears that he ascended to a raised footway or platform to oil the machinery. On one end of a rotating iron shaft, close to which he stood, some empty sacks had been fastened by means of wires to keep the oil from dripping. This wire caught his clothing, and in a moment he was wound up close and tight and was in the pitiless clutch of the unyielding monster. The ill-fated young man was carried round and round, his legs at every revolution striking against a 20-inch beam above and another large beam below. The period of his suffering is a matter of mere conjecture. In the morning when the father came to work, little dreaming of the fearful and untimely end of his one remaining boy, he was almost paralyzed with grief to find only his dismembered remains. He ran frantically to the house of Mr. Gwynn, who came out to meet him. Upon inquiry being made as to the cause of his haggard, wild appearance, the broken-hearted father only swung his hands above his head and exclaimed, "Oh, God! My boy" My boy!" This was all the information Mr. Gwynn could obtain except, "Run to the mill and see." Both men ran back to the scene of carnage. Mr. Gwynn, being younger, was there first. He looked around in the mill for the young man, but not seeing him, he cast a glance upward at the shaft and saw the shreds of clothing. That told the dreadful story. A moment later, he picked up part of a foot, and then taking a gold pan, filled it with the torn and mutilated remains. But the details are too sickening to dwell upon. Looking through outside, Mr. Gwynn saw the now crazed father trying evidently to beat out his own brains with a stone. He at once interposed to prevent this and led the poor man away. The funeral, which was largely attended, took place from Pellow's Hotel near Ophir on Thursday. The remains were deposited in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Auburn.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
about Martin Pelster's Family
1860 United States Federal Census about Martin Pelstin
Home in 1860: Township 7, Placer, California
Post Office: Iowa Hill
Martin Pelstin 33
Elizabeth Pelstin 25 born in Ireland
Martin Pelstin 3
Clemens Pelstin 5/12 - 5 mos
1870 United States Federal Census about Martin Palster
Post Office: Bath
Home in 1870: Township 7, Placer, California
Household Members:
Name Age
Martin Pelster 44 father b: in Prussia abt 1826
He married on May 22, 1888 in Auburn,Ca
Carmelita Maria HERMOSILLA - 2ND WIFE
The following account was documented in the Argus Newpaper on April 18, 1874
Martin Pelster SHOT her ex-husband Alonzo Henry Dake
that is interned here.
b: 16 JUN 1844 in Concepción, Bio-Bio, Chile
d: 28 OCT 1907 in Oakland, Alameda, California, USA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Martin Pelster 13 b: in PA abt 1857
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2. Julia Pelster 9 b: in CA abt 1861
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3. *John James b: in CA abt 1863 d: Apr 2, 1921
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4. William H. Pelster 5 born in CA abt 1865
1930 census shows he was married to:
Eunice Bonham b: abt 1876 in Iowa
Children:
4a.William "Willie" born Mar 1889
4b. Frank Leslie b: Jun 27, 1891 in CA d: Apr 2, 1968 in San Francisco
married: Ethel Johnson A. b: Mar 5, 1893 in CA d: Feb 9, 1967 in San Mateo. Her mother was Rose "Carroll" Johnson
Frank & Ethel's daughter
Ethel Marie b: Jul 12, 1918
4c. Clara b: Dec 29 1894 in CA d: May 15,1944 San Mateo Co. CA
5. Minerva Pelster b: in CA abt 1867
PELSTER, MARTIN
Shocking Fatal Accident – Caught by a Revolving Shaft and Beaten to Death
It becomes our sad duty to chronicle the very sudden and tragic ending of Martin Pelster, a young man well known in this community. He was employed at the mill of Salmon & Pelster on North Ravine, about two miles west of Auburn. It is a small custom mill of five stamps, run by water power, and his father is one of the owners. Martin and his father were in the habit of relieving each other at the work, the former working at night and the latter during the daytime. On Tuesday evening, Martin, as usual, was at his post all alone. About half past ten o'clock he was heard by Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Gwynn, who live a short distance from the reservoir, whistling. At this time it is thought he was regulating the water supply. Soon after, they noticed by the sound of the mill machinery that the battery was running slower and with somewhat irregular motion, though the fact excited no particular comment at the time. But, as subsequent developments clearly indicate, it must have been about this time that the unfortunate youth met his death which occurred under the following circumstances: It appears that he ascended to a raised footway or platform to oil the machinery. On one end of a rotating iron shaft, close to which he stood, some empty sacks had been fastened by means of wires to keep the oil from dripping. This wire caught his clothing, and in a moment he was wound up close and tight and was in the pitiless clutch of the unyielding monster. The ill-fated young man was carried round and round, his legs at every revolution striking against a 20-inch beam above and another large beam below. The period of his suffering is a matter of mere conjecture. In the morning when the father came to work, little dreaming of the fearful and untimely end of his one remaining boy, he was almost paralyzed with grief to find only his dismembered remains. He ran frantically to the house of Mr. Gwynn, who came out to meet him. Upon inquiry being made as to the cause of his haggard, wild appearance, the broken-hearted father only swung his hands above his head and exclaimed, "Oh, God! My boy" My boy!" This was all the information Mr. Gwynn could obtain except, "Run to the mill and see." Both men ran back to the scene of carnage. Mr. Gwynn, being younger, was there first. He looked around in the mill for the young man, but not seeing him, he cast a glance upward at the shaft and saw the shreds of clothing. That told the dreadful story. A moment later, he picked up part of a foot, and then taking a gold pan, filled it with the torn and mutilated remains. But the details are too sickening to dwell upon. Looking through outside, Mr. Gwynn saw the now crazed father trying evidently to beat out his own brains with a stone. He at once interposed to prevent this and led the poor man away. The funeral, which was largely attended, took place from Pellow's Hotel near Ophir on Thursday. The remains were deposited in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Auburn.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
about Martin Pelster's Family
1860 United States Federal Census about Martin Pelstin
Home in 1860: Township 7, Placer, California
Post Office: Iowa Hill
Martin Pelstin 33
Elizabeth Pelstin 25 born in Ireland
Martin Pelstin 3
Clemens Pelstin 5/12 - 5 mos
1870 United States Federal Census about Martin Palster
Post Office: Bath
Home in 1870: Township 7, Placer, California
Household Members:
Name Age
Martin Pelster 44 father b: in Prussia abt 1826
He married on May 22, 1888 in Auburn,Ca
Carmelita Maria HERMOSILLA - 2ND WIFE
The following account was documented in the Argus Newpaper on April 18, 1874
Martin Pelster SHOT her ex-husband Alonzo Henry Dake
that is interned here.
b: 16 JUN 1844 in Concepción, Bio-Bio, Chile
d: 28 OCT 1907 in Oakland, Alameda, California, USA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Martin Pelster 13 b: in PA abt 1857
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2. Julia Pelster 9 b: in CA abt 1861
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3. *John James b: in CA abt 1863 d: Apr 2, 1921
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4. William H. Pelster 5 born in CA abt 1865
1930 census shows he was married to:
Eunice Bonham b: abt 1876 in Iowa
Children:
4a.William "Willie" born Mar 1889
4b. Frank Leslie b: Jun 27, 1891 in CA d: Apr 2, 1968 in San Francisco
married: Ethel Johnson A. b: Mar 5, 1893 in CA d: Feb 9, 1967 in San Mateo. Her mother was Rose "Carroll" Johnson
Frank & Ethel's daughter
Ethel Marie b: Jul 12, 1918
4c. Clara b: Dec 29 1894 in CA d: May 15,1944 San Mateo Co. CA
5. Minerva Pelster b: in CA abt 1867
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