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Josef “Joe” Svitak

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Josef “Joe” Svitak

Birth	:	16 Feb 1894 Nebraska, USA
Death	:	16 Nov 1908 David City, Butler County, Nebraska, USA
Burial	:	Saint Marys Cemetery, David City, Butler County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.2430992, -97.1177979
Plot	:	Section NE1-4, Block 5, Lot 7
Inscription	:	FRANTISKA / SVITAK / ZEM. 19 CERV. 1909 / V STARI 30 ROKU / JOSEF / SVITAK / ZEM. 16 LIST 1908 / V STARI 14 ROKU / 9 MES
Description	:	Birth date calculated from age at death. '''''''''' Butler County Press (David City, Nebr.), November 19, 1908, p. 1, col. 7 Killed by Train Joe Svitak the 13-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Svitak, was run over and killed by a Union Pacific freight train about eight o'clock Monday morning. The boy, with a number of his companions, had been in the habit of catching a ride on the freight, at the Northwestern crossing in the east part of town. Not having met with any serious mishap lately they were getting more daring, and the... Read More	Birth date calculated from age at death. '''''''''' Butler County Press (David City, Nebr.), November 19, 1908, p. 1, col. 7 Killed by Train Joe Svitak the 13-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Svitak, was run over and killed by a Union Pacific freight train about eight o'clock Monday morning. The boy, with a number of his companions, had been in the habit of catching a ride on the freight, at the Northwestern crossing in the east part of town. Not having met with any serious mishap lately they were getting more daring, and the trainmen had been unable to keep them off the cars, and therefore culd not avoid the accident. It was a horrifying and deplorable accident and has caused a great deal of gloom in the community, and has been the almost universal topic of conversation. A number of Joe's companions saw the accident but were too frightened to know what to do, so the unfortunate boy lay for some time in a great agony before assistance came. Upon examination it was discovered that both legs had been crushed below the knees and the femur bones had also been badly shattered. There was a fracture of the skull which no doubt hastened the death of the sufferer. He was taken to the David City Hospital and medical aid summoned, but the patient only lived a short time, his death occurring at eleven o'clock, or about three hours after the accident. Just how the accident happened is not known, but it is supposed that the boy in trying to board the train had missed his footing and slipped under the wheels. This family has had more than their share of suffering. Mrs. Svitak, the boy's mother, has been in the hospital for some time, where she underwent a surgical operation fr cancer. She had just been removed to her home without much hope for her recovery, when this accident came to the oldest of several children, bringing additional grief to the family. The funeral was conducted from the Catholic Church at 10 a. m. Wednesday by Father Carraher. Interment was made in the Catholic Cemetery. Through sympathy fro the bereaved family the Railroad Company has contributed $200 to their temporary relief, which amount will not only pay the funeral expenses, but will be considerable of a help to the family in their sore distress, enabling them more easily to withstand the rigors of winter. This action of the Railroad Company is highly commended by our people generally, since it is not considered that the Company was in any way responsible for the accident. ''''''''' Peoples Banner (David City, Nebr.), November 19, 1908, p. 1 A SHOCKING ACCIDENT. Joe Svitak Killed by U.P. Freight Train. No Witnesses to the Accident. COMPANY PAYS PARENTS $200. Joe Svitak, the fifteen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Svitak, was caught under the wheels and badly mangled by the westbound U.P. freight Monday morning. The accident occurred a short distance east of the depot near the stock yards and as far as can be ascertained there was no witness to the accident, and the boy was not able to tell about it. The circumstances indicate that he attempted to board the train but missed his footing and was dragged under the wheels. One leg was entirely severed just below the knee and the ankle to the knee. Both thighs were broken and the skull was fractured. It was some time, perhaps a quarter to half an hour before he was discovered. A son of Amos Smith called at the Svitak home on his way to school and inquired for Joe, and was told that he had gone some time before. He went on down the track and saw Joe lying there. He was making some outcry but was not conscious. The Smith boy ran to the Prohaska home near by and told what had happened. Other people were soon on the scene and the boy was removed, first to the Prohaska home and then to the hospital where physicians gave what aid was possible but Joe was too far gone and died about 11 o’clock. The funeral was held in the Catholic church Wednesday forenoon at 10 o’clock conducted by Rev. Father Caraher and the remains were buried in the Catholic cemetery. What makes the awful death more pathetic is the fact that the mother Is suffering from an incurable cancer and the father has been weighed down and despondent on this account. G. L. Moulton of Omaha, claim agent for the Union Pacific, arrived Monday afternoon and after investigating the circumstances, while believing the company could not be held to account, paid the parents $200. Persons conversant with all the facts believe this to have been a liberal and benevolent act on the part of the company. Joe was the oldest of four children, one brother and two sisters remaining to mourn with the parents for his cruel death. This accident recalls the fact of two former similar accidents to David City people. John N. King, a deaf man, was run down by the Northwestern train and killed near the scene of Joe Svitak’s fatal mishap, and Lyman Jackson lost all the toes on one foot, while stealing a ride to Foley a few years ago.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Josef “Joe” Svitak's memorial?
Josef “Joe” Svitak's memorial is located at: Saint Marys Cemetery, David City, Butler County, USA.
When did Josef “Joe” Svitak death?
Josef “Joe” Svitak death on 16 Nov 1908 in David City, Butler County, Nebraska, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Josef “Joe” Svitak's memorial?
Latitude: 41.2430992
Longitude: -97.1177979

Family Members:

Parent

Anton Svitak Sr.

(1866 - 1936)

Frantiska “Fannie” Janousek Svitak

(1870 - 1909)

Siblings

Mary Margaret Svitak McCracken

(1896 - 1977)

Emma Cecilia Svitak Mathieu

(1899 - 1978)

Anton Joseph “Tony” Svitak

(1901 - 1933)

James Svitak

(1924 - 1990)

Rose Svitak

(1928 - 1928)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Saint Marys Cemetery
David City, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2430992, -97.1177979

2. David City Cemetery
David City, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2346992, -97.1350021

3. Saint Francis Catholic Cemetery
David City, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1884020, -97.0841270

4. Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary Cemetery
Appleton, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2922000, -97.0396000

5. Garrison Cemetery
Garrison, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1704350, -97.1623720

6. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2064018, -97.2136002

7. Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery
Rising City, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1773580, -97.2156950

8. Catholic Cemetery of Presentation Church and Saint
Bellwood, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3369000, -97.1683000

9. Saint Anthony Cemetery
Bruno, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2743988, -96.9869003

10. Faith Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery East
Garrison, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1573970, -97.1949610

11. Holy Trinity Cemetery
Brainard, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1777992, -96.9953003

12. Fricke Cemetery
Bruno, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2564011, -96.9664001

13. Bohemian National Cemetery
Brainard, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1770300, -96.9885800

14. Old Catholic Cemetery
Brainard, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1772300, -96.9871300

15. Brainard IOOF Cemetery
Brainard, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1772700, -96.9860000

16. Ware Cemetery
Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1185989, -97.0802994

17. Grim Cemetery
Ulysses, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1130981, -97.1763992

18. Bohemian Cemetery
Bruno, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2933006, -96.9431000

19. Circle Mound Cemetery
Rising City, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2064018, -97.3039017

20. Bellwood Cemetery
Bellwood, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3450012, -97.2549973

21. Rising Sun Cemetery
Rising City, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1627998, -97.2906036

22. Oak Creek Cemetery
Brainard, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1656000, -96.9410000

23. Fairview Cemetery
Rising City, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2075005, -97.3199997

24. Talbot Cemetery
Newman Township, Saunders County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2201950, -96.9082630