Carroll Daily Herald, IA, Monday, November 22, 1937, pg. 1, col. 8

PROMINENT FARMER DROWNING VICTIM
TRAGIC ACCIDENT CLAIMS LIFE OF JOHN J. HANSMAN
Body Found in Primary Settlings Tank, Disposal Tank
Had Been Sought All Day Sunday; Last Seen Saturday Night

John J. Hansman, 45, prominent Carroll county farmer and son of a former county supervisor, became a tragic accident victim when he accidentally fell into the primary settlings tank at the disposal plant here sometime Saturday night and was drowned. Hansman's body was brought to the surface late Sunday afternoon after a day-long search which resulted in dragging of the tank after his billfold had been found floating on the surface.

Officers have been unable to discover what errand took Hansman to the disposal plant after dark, but have supposed that for some unknown reason he went there, parked his car in the drive with the motor running and shortly afterward stumbled over the (Continued on Page 6) low curbing and fell into the ten-feet-deep tank.

Chief of Police Clark said that shortly after 8 o'clock Sunday morning Bert Rungee called him from the disposal plant where he was working, and reported a car was parked in front of the plant which appeared to have been in an accident. Clark immediately went out to inspect the car and found it to be Hansman's. He then called Hansman's home and Mrs. Hansman told him that her husband had not been at home the previous night. During the remainder of the day Clark looked about the streets as he went about his work, hoping to see Hansman to notify him that his automobile was at the Bryce Henning garage where he had ordered it taken.

Henning said later that the engine was still warm when the car was pulled in, and that it was found with lights burning and ignition switch turned on. It had apparantly run out of gasoline.

Bert Rungee and his wife came in to town between 3:30 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon, bringing with them Hansman's pocketbook, which Rungee said he had found floating on the surface of the primary settlings tank. Clark called the Hansman home again, and learning that Hansman still had not appeared, decided to drag the tank.

GOT HELP

He got Joe Heller and Rungee to go with him and when he felt certain there was a body in the tank, sent word to Noah Baker to come and drain it. In the meantime he and Heller located the body with the help of Wilbur Judge and Joe Sanks, who came out later, succeeded in removing it from the tank. The body was taken to Gregory funeral home.

CORONER CALLED

Sheriff Buchheit and Deputy Hinze were notified and the latter made an investigation before calling County Coroner A. F. Smith at Manning. Smith arrived and after an examination reported the death to be caused by accidental drowning.

SAW HIM LAST

One of the last persons to see Hansman alive was Mike Mitchell, who reported to Deputy Sheriff Hinze Sunday morning that he and Hansman had been involved in a minor automobile collision Saturday night at 7:40 o'clock on Court street between Second and Third. He stated that Hansman left the scene of the accident immediately. He was seen also at 10 p.m.

Arrangements for the funeral services have not been completed.

The body was taken to the family home two miles east and four miles south of Carroll from the Gregory funeral home at 2:30 o'clock Monday afternoon.

BORN IN 1892

Mr. Hansman, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hansman of Carroll, was born July 28, 1892, on the family homestead where he was living at the time of his death. After completing St. Mary's school at Willey he remained at home to assist his father on the farm until his marriage.
On Feb. 18, 1914, at Ss. Peter and Paul's church here he was married to Miss Rose Achatz of Carroll. The ceremony was performed by the late Rev. Father Joseph Kuemper.

During the first two years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hansman lived on a farm two miles south of Dedham. They then moved to the home place, where they have lived since that time.

SURVIVORS

Surviving Mr. Hansman are his wife, three sons and four daughters: Melvin of Los Angeles, Calif.; and Marcella, Lorris, Robert, Phyllis, Arlene and Margaret, at home.

Mr. Hansman also leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Hansman, of 102 North Main street, Carroll, and the following sisters and brother: Mrs. H. C. Schmitz (Sophia), Carroll; Mrs. Joe Nagl (Elizabeth), Templeton; Mrs. Oscar Matt (Ann), Norfolk, Neb.; Mrs. John Stuckey (Bess), Akron, Ohio, and Louis Hansman, Peoria, Ill.

Mr. Hansman was preceded in death by a son, LeRoy, who died at the age of two, a sister, Minnie, who passed away at the age of seven, and two brothers, Edward, who died in France while surving his country during the World war, and William, who died in infancy.

Mr. Hansman was a member of St. Mary's church of Willey.

SCHOOL DIRECTOR

He took an active interest in civic and community affairs and was a township school director.

Melvin Hansman of Los Angeles, Calif., son of the deceased, will arrive home Wednesday. Mrs. John Stuckey of Akron, Ohio, and Louis Hansmann of Peoria, Ill., sister and brother, will arrive Monday night. Mrs. Oscar Matt of Norfolk, Neb., another sister, is also expected Monday.

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Carroll Daily Herald, IA, Wednesday, November 24, 1937, pg. 1, col. 2

CORONER'S JURY STILL IN SESSION ON HANSMAN CASE
Autopsy Performed; Vitals Sent to Iowa City For Analysis
Death From Suffocation Is To Be Expected Verdict

After listening to eleven witnesses in the coroner's investigation of the death of John J. Hansman, Dr. A. F. Smith of Manning, county coroner, said none of the evidence submitted indicated anything but accidental death. The inquest was held upon request from the family. The jury, composed of Emil Kuhl, Louie Martens and Arnold Witt, all of Manning, was still hearing evidence at 3 o'clock this afternoon. Several more witnesses were to be called, but their testimony was expected to be of a minor nature.

The vital records of Hansman were removed and sent to Iowa City for examination. An autopsy disclosed that the victim died of suffocation, rather than drowning, but the manner of suffocation had not been determined. Unless additional evidence is uncovered the verdict is expected to be that Mr. Hansman died of suffocation, manner not determined.

Funeral services for Mr. Hansman will be held tomorrow morning.

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Carroll Daily Herald, Tuesday, November 23, 1937, pg. 1, col. 2

JOHN J. HANSMAN RITES WILL BE HELD THURSDAY

Funeral services for John J. Hansman will be held at St. Mary's church in Willey at 10 o'clock Thursday morning. Rev. H. J. Dries. the pastor, will be the celebrant of the solemn requiem high mass.

The body is resting at the family home two miles east and four miles south of Carroll until the time of the rites.

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Carroll Daily Herald, IA, Friday, November 26, 1937, pg. 1, col. 5

LAST RITES FOR JOHN J. HANSMAN HELD THURSDAY

Services Held at Willey In St. Mary's Catholic Church

Solemn requiem high mass was offered at the funeral services for John J. Hansman, which were held at 10 o'clock Thursday morning at St. Mary's church in Willey.

Rev. Father H. J. Dries, celebrant of the mass, was assisted by cousins of the deceased. Rev. Father James Greteman, of Manson, served as deacon, and Rev. Father Frank Greteman of Merill, sub-deacon. Rev. Father Lawrence Greteman of Greda assisted in the sanctuary.

The large church was filled to overflowing with relatives and friends of the deceased.

Pallbearers, who were nephews and cousins, were George Kitt, Joseph Kitt, Ernest Hoffman, George Hoffman, Leonard Schmitz and Hilbert Schmitz.

Relatives from distant points at the rites were: Melvin Hansman of Los Angeles, Calif., son of the deceased; Mrs. John Stuckey of Akron, Ohio, Mrs. Oscar Matt of Norfolk, Neb., Louis Hansman of Peoria, Ill., and Frank Greteman and Mrs. Joseph Speitz of Canute, Okla. Many relatives and friends from surrounding towns were also at the service.