To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the South Dakota Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in South Dakota, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 3/27/12 • Approved: 3/27/12 • Last Updated: 8/14/15 • R154349-G0-S3
Burned to Death
John Hoeck Meets Sudden and Awful Death at Hazelton, North Dakota
The meagerly reported death of John Hoeck at this home in Hazelton last week proved horribly true.
It seems that Tuesday night, between 12 and 1 o'clock he got up to prepare something for his wife, and the fire in the heating stove being nearly out he stared to rebuild it, and poured some oil in, either kerosene or gasoline, it is not know which, and an explosion followed, throwing the fire and oil over him and about the room. His wife sprang from bed with her two-days-old baby and rushed from the firy room out of doors, being considerably scorched but not seriously burned, and a girl, Mary Butler, who was helping care for Mrs. Hoeck and was in an adjoining room, also rushed out doors, but then seeing Mr. Hoeck lying on the floor all ablaze she grabbed a blanket and rushed in and tried to help him out, but was unable to do so, the flames spreading so rapidly. She was also burned some, but no seriously. The house and all contents were burned, and Mr. Hoeck's remains were secured and buried next day, it being understood that his hands and feet were burned off.
John Hoeck was the third son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hoeck of this city, and was between 21 and 22 years old. He was married at Trent July 4th last, his wife being Miss Marilda Ferguson and they went to Hazelton, North Dakota to reside.
His mother had received a letter from him Wednesday morning, announcing the birth of a baby daughter on Monday, and he was very happy over it, and his expectation of joining his brothers in Colorado, which he expected to do as soon as his wife was able to go.
George Hoeck returned home last Thursday night from a trip to Colorado where two other sons went this spring, and he had picked out a fine farm for John and was going to have him come as soon as possible and go onto it. He of course knew nothing of the terrible news awaiting him until he reached home, and then there was only the certainty that his son was dead.
They went to Trent Friday, and Mrs. Hoeck left from there for Hazelton to see and comfort her son's widow, who was being cared for by kind friends.
John Hoeck was born on the well known Hoeck farm in Moody County, northeast of Trent where he grew to manhood, and was known and esteemed by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
The sympathy of all goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Hoeck and family, and the young widow, in their particularly sad bereavement.
Mrs. Hoeck returned home Tuesday, and reports her son's widow and child doing nicely, though it is a wonder they are alive, she having rushed out from the burning house with only her night clothes, and walked the street some time before finding shelter.
Dell Rapids Tribune May 5, 1910
Contributed on 3/27/12 by dellsfig68
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 154349