A transcription of pages 195-469,
Family Histories from the Verdigre Centennial Book
Thanks to the Verdigre Library and its volunteers for making this available.
 
The index below only includes the husband and wife for each family.
The maiden name for the wife is used if listed.
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Index's A-I, J-P, & Q-Z

AUGUST WIRTH, SR.

Sometimes the end of life came not in due order but in brutal fashion, as this account of the death of August Wirth, Sr., taken from the Fraternal publication Bratrsky Vestnik, shows.

The tragic accidental death of August A. Wirth as reported in a January 1906, Verdigre, Nebraska, newspaper.

The accident occurred Monday morning, January 8, when August Wirth went rabbit hunting, his favorite sport. He was one mile from home at the end of his land when he spotted a bunny. Thinking that if he shot the rabbit with the big gun there would be too much damage, he took up, instead, the revolver which he had with him and fired two shots at the rabbit. When he did so the other gun, which was cocked and under his left arm, fell to the ground and discharged as he tried to catch it. The shot went into his ribs and lungs, breaking three ribs and making a terrific hole in his side. The shot caused his clothes to catch fire. How he put out the fire was a miracle considering the severity of his injuries.

He walked nearly ¾ mile to the home of his brother-in-law and sister, George Vonasek, the closest house. They also had a telephone so that they could get medical attention as fast as possible.

When he reached the door, he passed out, which was a big shock to his sister Fannie who was home alone. Her husband Jaroslav (George) Vonasek was also out rabbit hunting. She immediately phoned her husband’s parents who sent their son Vladivir (Lad) to find her husband and relay the message.

Help was summoned by a telephone call to Dr. Bates of Verdigre who was on the road to their area to attend to Mrs. Dietz, who was expecting. He came at once by buggy to attend to Mr. Wirth and try to save him.

After examining the wound he said nothing could be done for two or three days, which was an excuse since he realized the wound was mortal. (Five years before, the same thing had happened in that vicinity to a sixteen-year-old boy named Joseph Kovanda. He died of his wounds the third day after great suffering.) The injured Wirth insisted they call in another doctor. His relatives then phoned Doctor Ira of Lynch, Nebraska, who brought along another doctor. They made the 30 miles in four hours in a wagon. When Dr. Ira saw the patient, he said that there was no help for him, but did try to operate, clean the wound, and wrap it. The patient thought he would get well and was satisfied. He must have been in great pain, but he did not complain.

The next day he kept asking when the doctor would be there. He came at four o’clock in the afternoon and brought a nurse to take care of the patient. As soon as they opened the wound, Mr. Wirth started labored breathing and in a short time died. His last moments went fast, everyone wept and was deeply moved to think that this young life would end so soon. The body remained at his sister’s until the next day when he was put on a bier and taken to his home. The funeral was held at the ZCBJ Lodge on January 11. (August belonged to Lodge Sladkovsky.) The whole neighborhood attended the funeral. The body was carried from his house to the Lodge Hall and thence to the Pischelville Cemetery. It was a sad day for all who saw him laid to rest in the cemetery.

The oldest son of pioneers Joseph and Vincelava Wirth of Niobrara, who had retired, August was born August 3, 1877, at Pischelville, Nebraska. He remained on the family farm until he was 22 years old and then married Anna Dobrichovsky. In a short time they established their own farm and made great progress.

He joined ZCBJ Lodge No. 8 on March 9, 1902, and insured his life for $1,000 with his wife as beneficiary.

He left to mourn his death his wife, who was pregnant, and three small children ranging in age from three to six years. They were too young to realize what they had lost.

August faithfully attended all the lodge meetings and he held several offices. He was one of the youngest members who learned to read and talk the Czech language in summer classed held in the small school under the auspices of the Lodge. Mr. Wirth kept the books for two terms and after that took what office was given him. His death was a big loss to the Lodge and the community.

Children of August Wirth and Anna, now all deceased, were: Bertha (Mrs. Emon Marshall), Edward Wirth, Mary (Mrs. T. P. Stoural), and August Wirth, Jr., who was born several months after his father’s death.

Pages 466, 467