WYOMING STATE JOURNAL 16 MAY 1913

Joe Rickerl Accidentally Killed

Body Found in Popo Agie Near Bridge Half Mile North of Town---No Witnesses

Butter Maker for Lander Creamery Falls From Bridge Breaking Neck---Inquest Shows Accidental Death

The body of Joe Rickerl, butter maker at the Lander creamery, was discovered yesterday afternoon, in the waters of the Popo Agie near the bridge a half mile north of town. Life was extinct altho the body was not yet rigid. Coroner Feiser at once called a jury composed of Charles Stough, John W. Cook and C. T. Wolf. After hearing the evidence and viewing the remains they brought in a verdict of accidental death.

A little girl discovered the remains while returning from school at around four o'clock. Joe had been fishing in the forenoon and it is supposed was fishing when the accident occurred. His fishing rod has not been found, but a box of bait was found in his pocket. There are several severe wounds upon his head and his neck was broken. Apparently there was no water upon his lungs so that his death was not caused by drowning. Just how the accident occurred no one can tell. There is a lot of water in the river. Apparently he had fallen from the bridge while fishing. It is about 15 feet above the water and the wounds on his head would indicate that is what happened.

Joe Rickerl has only been in Lander some three months. His home is in Haverhill, Iowa, where his parents and relatives reside. He was about 30 years of age, a graduate from the Ames, Iowa, agricultural college, and has worked for creameries in South Dakota and Minnesota. He was a quiet, likeable young man who had made many friends since he has been in Lander.


WYOMING STATE JOURNAL 23 MAY 1913
Funeral of Joe Rickerl Held Saturday in Lander

The funeral of Joe Rickerl was held Saturday from the Catholic church of which he was a member. The Rev. Father Keavey preached the funeral sermon. Interment was made in the Lander cemetery.

While only a resident of Lander for a short time, Mr. Rickerl had many friends here. He was a successful creamery operater [sic] and the patrons were his friends.

Nothing new has developed since the inquest as to the exact manner in which he met death. The evidence already gathered tends to show without question that in some manner he accidentally fell from the bridge where he was fishing and was killed by the fall.