John SAXHAUG 1
- Marriage: Hannah Robertina PETTERSEN on November 29, 1896 in Windom, Cottonwood, Minnesota, USA
 General Notes:
The following articles were provided by Susan Gregory.
FROM THE COTTONWOOD COUNTY CITIZEN, Saturday, May 5, 1906:
KILLED BY CARS
John Saxhaug Struck by Passenger Train While Crossing the Track.
A distressing accident occurred Wednesday night at the railroad cut just south of town, on the hill, when John Saxhaug lost his life by being struck by train No. 1, the fast passenger going west, death being almost instantaneous.
The actual details of the accident are meagre, as it occurred at such a late hour of the night, but as near as we can learn they are as follows:
Mr. Saxhaug, whose family live in Windom while he farms just south of town in Jackson County, had been in the village most of the afternoon and evening, and had intended to remain over night. About half past ten o'clock he came home from down town and said he had changed his mind and would go out to the farm that night, as there was no extra help out there and it would be late to do the chores if he waited until morning before going out. Accordingly, after having something to eat, he hitched up and started for the farm at exactly 12 o'clock, as Mrs. Saxhaug says the clock struck that hour as he drove out of the yard. He must have started directly for the farm for his wife says she noticed it was 12:14 when the train whistled at the bluff crossing, and she wondered whether Mr. Saxhaug had passed there by that time, but felt sure he had. Consequently it was at that time that he met his death, for it was this same train which struck the buggy.
The horses had doubtless crossed the track, for they were unhurt, but the buggy was demolished and Mr. Saxhaug thrown onto the pilot of the engine. As quickly as possible the train was stopped and, with the body still on the pilot, was backed into Windom and Corner Weiser notified. The body was taken into the depot and later moved to Crane's undertaking establishment. It was found that the skull had been crushed in in front and a great gash cut across the face, an arm and leg broken, besides other bruises.
The cut where the accident occurred is a bad place, high banks preventing a traveler on the wagon road from seeing up or down the tracks until almost upon them. Several have had narrow escapes at this same place, and the crossing should either be placed in a safe condition or abolished altogether.
The deceased was a member of the Modern Woodmen lodge here, and the funeral was attended by the members of that order. He leaves a wife and several children, mother, two sisters and a brother to mourn his untimely death, who have the sympathy of many acquaintances.
FROM THE WINDOM REPORTER, dated May 10, 1906, page 3:
Mrs. M. A. Hoffstad of Lakefield came down to her brother's funeral last Friday and returned home Sunday.
One of the saddest accidents in the history of this community was that of last week when John Saxhaug came to his death at the railway crossing south of town. He had just left his fireside, the lateness of the hour being due to the fact that at first he had decided to stay in Windom that night. Afterwards he changed his mind, and after having given his wife some assistance with the children, especially comforting and doing what he could for little Harold, who had the toothache, he said "good night" and left. A while after his departure Mrs. Saxhaug heard the train whistle at the depot, not at the crossing, as has been reported. Then she says she dozed off - she does not know how long - when she was awakened by someone calling her name. She jumped up from bed and looked out of the window, thinking her husband had returned for something. Seeing no one, she thought she must have only dreamed it, and returned to bed. The next morning she was told of the terrible accident that blighted her young life and left her alone with her four little ones. Besides the wife and children, an old mother, three sisters and one brother are left to mourn the loss of one who had always been a kind and loving father, husband, son and brother. It will be remembered that it is only a couple of months since a young sister of the deceased also died, so the family has indeed more than their share of sorrow and are almost prostrated. The funeral was held from the residence, which could not hold half of the friends present, Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. O. C. Myhre, and the remains were laid to rest in the Windom cemetery. The floral offerings were many and beautiful.
Although, I realize you are not related to the Saxhaug family, with the exception of the children of John Saxhaug and Hannah Peterson, I thought you might find the following information interesting: The Olaus Olsen mentioned in the articles is Olaus Saxhaug, father of John Saxhaug.
The following was taken from the Windom Reporter, May 24, 1906, page 1:
FAMILY SERIOUSLY STRICKEN
Another Sad Death in the Saxhaug Family. Anthony Saxhaug Struck by Lightning Monday Afternoon.
The Saxhaug family seems to be a family of casualties. Twenty -five or thirty years ago a family of several children, father, mother, brothers, sisters, were a happy family of Norwegians, whose home had been located on government land just over the line in Jackson county.
Years and years ago, nearly thirty, we should think, one day Olaus Olson brought a little child to Windom suffering with poisoning. Olaus had procured, if we remember right, some strychnine with which to poison gophers, and when he had fixed a dish of poison for the little animals which were destroying his corn, he placed the bottle in the clock, where the little child, when unobserved found it and ate a little of its contents. Olaus immediately brought the child to Windom, as we remember it, before the poison had time to take effect, and by the time the child arrived it was suffering severely. It was taken to Dr. Brown (Long Doc Brown, as we used to call him in contradistinction to another Dr. Brown) in the building where Ed Larson has his shoe shop, which the doctor used as a drug store and office. The doctor worked very hard to save the child, and it was thought he would succeed, but before the morning following it died in spite of all that could be done. Not many years afterwards the father was unquestionably murdered on his way home from Windom. A few months ago a daughter of the same family died of consumption at the family home. About three weeks ago the oldest son was killed by a passing train, the particulars of which are still fresh in the minds of the people. This casualty occurred within a short distance of where the father died.
On Monday afternoon another of the family was killed by lightning within a short distance of where father and brother met their untimely death. Anthony, we believe his name was. With some other young men he was plowing on the Gold Schmidt section south of the Weld farm across the river, when the thunder shower came up. Together with the others he crawled under the wagon to keep dry, and here the fatal bolt struck him, not only killing him but also injuring the horses. Mr. Weld was notified as quickly as the boys could run to his house and he repaired to the place, assisting in bringing the body to town, but life was gone.
This tells the story of a much afflicted family, four of whom have met their death suddenly and terribly.
Miss Louise, who works in M.L. Fisch's store, is of course overcome with grief, as well as the mother, and much sympathy is expressed for them.
The following information was given by Bette Maher Marsh, granddaughter of John Saxhaugt:
On Christmas Eve, Olaus Saxhaug was in the town of Windom, Minnesota playing poker. The poker game may have been at a restaurant which was owned by a woman and she had two sons who were a bit on the shady side. Olaus Saxhaug had won a good sum of money. The two "shady" boys got wind of Olaus' winnings and they robbed and killed him. According to Bette, Olaus was killed possibly on Christmas Eve. He was in his buggy and he was just south of Windom on the road to Jackson. In his buggy were Christmas presents which he had purchased for his wife and children. The "shady" boys and their mother who owned the restaurant left town the day after Olaus was killed and they were never found.
The following newspaper articles are about Anton Saxhaug, brother of John Saxhaug:
John married Hannah Robertina PETTERSEN, daughter of Hans Olaus PETTERSEN and Robertine Christine BRUN, on November 29, 1896 in Windom, Cottonwood, Minnesota, USA. (Hannah Robertina PETTERSEN was born on February 13, 1878 in Fosnes, , Nord-Trøndelag, Norway, died on December 20, 1964 in Windom, Cottonwood, Minnesota, USA 2 and was buried in Windom, Minnesota - Lakeview Cemetery.)
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