For this month's story we are going to leave the Chicago area and go west - all the way west to Los Angeles, California.
I subscribe to a fascinating blog called "Noirish Los Angeles."
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=170279
Recently someone posted the story of the circumstances surrounding the death of Charley Wetzel, the eldest son of LA resident Martin Wetzel. Charley Wetzel died by accident at the hand of his brother Raymond in 1892. But this was not the only tragedy to befall the Wetzel family. Raymond Wetzel himself died in a tragic accident in 1897. Their stories were such that I couldn't get them out of my head, so I finally decided to tell their stories in this blog. Before we take a look at the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two Wetzel boys, let's see what we can find out about the Wetzel family.
Martin Wetzel the family patriarch, was born September 12, 1850 in Kentucky (although some sources say Germany), the son of Anton Wetzel (1827-1902) and Barbara - maiden name unknown, (1826-1875). In addition to Martin, Anton and Barbara had four other children: Andrew (1859-1908), Sophia (1860-1876), Frederick (1865-1937) and Barbery (Barbara) (1871-1930). Anton Wetzel was a shoemaker by trade.
In 1867 Martin Wetzel left Kentucky and heard the call to cross the plains and "go west young man." Upon his arrival in Los Angeles he joined the Southern Pacific Railroad. I was unable to find Wetzel in the 1870 US Census - he was probably on the rails somewhere.
Martin Wetzel rose quickly through the ranks of the SP ultimately becoming a passenger train engineer.
He was not on the rails all the time, however. The Los Angeles Herald from May 18, 1875 carried the following item:
Julia Snyder was born October 6, 1855 in New York to John Schneider (1818-1893) and his wife Theresa - maiden name unknown, (1824-1892). John and Theresa had four children in addition to Julia: Carl (1846-????), Marie Theresa (1850-1928), Adolphus (1852-1922), and Rosa (1867-1901). John Schneider was a saloon-keeper by trade.
Martin and Julia Wetzel were blessed with three children: Emma Theresa (1876-1953), Charles Martin (1877-1892), and Raymond Antone (1880-1897).
The 1880 US Census found Martin and his family living on Chestnut Street in Los Angeles. The census-taker reported Martin's name as "Marten Wetsell." Martin listed his occupation as "RR Engineer," and his age as 29. Julia was 24 and "keeping house." The children were four year-old Emma, three year-old Charles, and 5/12 year-old Raymond. Their house on Chestnut did not have a specific lot address.
Here is a photo of Martin Wetzel when he was working for the Southern Pacific Railroad:
Martin Wetzel continued his career with the railroad. In 1882 he was a delegate to the American Engineer's Convention in Louisville, and around this time Wetzel also dabbled in City and County politics as a Republican.
Here is a photo of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers from that time period:
Martin Wetzel is said to be at the "X" but I don't see any X.
The Los Angeles Times reported in March of 1889 that Wetzel was made Inspector of Street Sprinkling.
As a long-time resident and now official of the City of Los Angeles, Martin Wetzel was well known. So when his son had an accident on the 4th of July, 1889 it made the Los Angeles Times. In a column titled "Accidents and Incidents of the Fourth" the following information was reported:
The son of Martin Wetzel was badly hurt yesterday by a shooting instrument made by his own hands. He took a large cartridge shell and drilling a hole in the drum end, he loaded it with powder and rock, and placing the cartridge in a wooden stock, used his improvised gun for shooting cats and other things. The last load, however, was too heavy for the gun and it exploded. A portion of the shell struck the boy in the forehead, making a severe cut. Dr. Allen dressed the wound and says it is serious.
The tragic accident that took the life of young Charley Wetzel took place in 1892. Here are the details from the Los Angeles Herald of August 29, 1892:
A shocking tragedy occurred yesterday noon, near the five-mile house, north of the city, by which little Raymond Wetzel, 13 years old, accidentally shot and killed his elder brother, Charley Wetzel, 15 years old. The boys are sons of Martin Wetzel, engineer of engine No. 7, of the Los Angeles fire department, one of the best known members of the department.
The news reached the city at 1 o'clock, and Mr. Sharp, of Peck, Sharp & Neitzke, undertakers, went out to the five mile house, returning with the body, and the heart-broken little fellow who had been the cause of the accident.
The story of the accident was related to a Herald reporter by Raymond Wetzel, between his sobs, and as he sat on a chair in the undertaker's office, holding on to a string, at the other end of which was a little dog, who looked up at him, and occasionally whined.
"My brother Charley and I, and Ethelbert Vincent started out from home this morning," said Raymond, "to go up the valley towards Glendale. We had a little wagon with us, and a single-barreled shot gun to shoot squirrels with, if we saw any. We walked beyond the five-mile house to Ramona, where we got some grapes, and then turned to come back. Bert was sick at Ramona, and didn't feel very good as we came along back. Before we got to the five-mile house he sat down to rest a little, and my brother and I went on slowly. When we were a short ways from Bert, about 100 feet, I guess, my brother saw a squirrel to the right of the road, and told me to get the gun and shoot him. He was hauling the wagon by the handle, and I was on the left band.side of it. The gun was in the wagon, with the muzzle pointing towards Charley. I jumped around behind the wagon and to the right side. I put my hands on the gun to pick it up, and it went off. Charley said, 'My God!' and fell down on the ground. I hallooed to Bert that Charley was shot, and threw out the box of grapes that was in the wagon. When Bert came we picked my brother up and put him in the wagon. Then we brought him to the Five-mile house, and they telephoned to town. The wagon was pretty small, but we got him there some way."
The boy tried to choke back the tears, but they would come. Further questions being put to him, he said that the gun was lying with the stock close against the back of the wagon, and the muzzle reached out in front, elevated to the height of the front board. He said he had hardly touched it before it went off. He was positive that it was not cocked. When he grasped it, he put one hand on the barrel just where it joins the stock. He could not tell whether the hammer hit anything or not. But of course this must have happened, as the gun would not have gone off by itself.
This statement of the accident was corroborated by others and the circumstances. When Mr. Sharp reached the five-mile house he found the body of the boy. He was still alive, although unconscious, when brought in, and very soon he breathed his last. The wound from which he died was in the back of his head, the whole charge of shot having entered a little above the neck. A visit to the scene of the shooting was made by Mr. Sharp, and he found a pool of blood in the middle of the road, where the unfortunate boy fell, and in it some of the brains which had oozed from the wound before he was lifted into the wagon.
Charley Wetzel was a bright boy, and has been working for some time past at the job printing establishment of Kinsley & Barnes. He and his brother have always been companions and they were very much attached to each other. Raymond has been going to school at the Chestnut street public school out Temple street, and is a sturdy little fellow. They had planned this little jaunt as it was the only day when Charley had leisure. They had their friend, Ethelbert Vincent, go with them, and left home in great spirits, little thinking of the dreadful termination of the day's outing.
The news of the tragedy was communicated to the parents, and their grief was very affecting. They were completely prostrated by it, and have the sympathy of a great many friends in the city, where Mr. Wetzel is exceedingly well known, he having been an engineer on the Southern Pacific for many years before entering into the service of the fire department. Coroner Weldon was at San Pedro yesterday, and will return this morning, when an inquest will be held at 10 o'clock.
The inquest was held on August 30, 1892 and the verdict was that "the deceased came to his death from a gunshot wound and that it was purely accidental." Here's his Death Certificate:
Here's Charlie's Death Notice from the Los Angeles Herald of Tuesday, August 30, 1892:
The Wetzel family purchased a family plot in the Evergreen Cemetery in Los Angeles in Section H - Lot 5008:
I subscribe to a fascinating blog called "Noirish Los Angeles."
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=170279
Recently someone posted the story of the circumstances surrounding the death of Charley Wetzel, the eldest son of LA resident Martin Wetzel. Charley Wetzel died by accident at the hand of his brother Raymond in 1892. But this was not the only tragedy to befall the Wetzel family. Raymond Wetzel himself died in a tragic accident in 1897. Their stories were such that I couldn't get them out of my head, so I finally decided to tell their stories in this blog. Before we take a look at the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two Wetzel boys, let's see what we can find out about the Wetzel family.
Martin Wetzel the family patriarch, was born September 12, 1850 in Kentucky (although some sources say Germany), the son of Anton Wetzel (1827-1902) and Barbara - maiden name unknown, (1826-1875). In addition to Martin, Anton and Barbara had four other children: Andrew (1859-1908), Sophia (1860-1876), Frederick (1865-1937) and Barbery (Barbara) (1871-1930). Anton Wetzel was a shoemaker by trade.
In 1867 Martin Wetzel left Kentucky and heard the call to cross the plains and "go west young man." Upon his arrival in Los Angeles he joined the Southern Pacific Railroad. I was unable to find Wetzel in the 1870 US Census - he was probably on the rails somewhere.
Martin Wetzel rose quickly through the ranks of the SP ultimately becoming a passenger train engineer.
He was not on the rails all the time, however. The Los Angeles Herald from May 18, 1875 carried the following item:
Julia Snyder was born October 6, 1855 in New York to John Schneider (1818-1893) and his wife Theresa - maiden name unknown, (1824-1892). John and Theresa had four children in addition to Julia: Carl (1846-????), Marie Theresa (1850-1928), Adolphus (1852-1922), and Rosa (1867-1901). John Schneider was a saloon-keeper by trade.
Martin and Julia Wetzel were blessed with three children: Emma Theresa (1876-1953), Charles Martin (1877-1892), and Raymond Antone (1880-1897).
The 1880 US Census found Martin and his family living on Chestnut Street in Los Angeles. The census-taker reported Martin's name as "Marten Wetsell." Martin listed his occupation as "RR Engineer," and his age as 29. Julia was 24 and "keeping house." The children were four year-old Emma, three year-old Charles, and 5/12 year-old Raymond. Their house on Chestnut did not have a specific lot address.
Here is a photo of Martin Wetzel when he was working for the Southern Pacific Railroad:
Martin Wetzel continued his career with the railroad. In 1882 he was a delegate to the American Engineer's Convention in Louisville, and around this time Wetzel also dabbled in City and County politics as a Republican.
Here is a photo of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers from that time period:
Martin Wetzel is said to be at the "X" but I don't see any X.
The Los Angeles Times reported in March of 1889 that Wetzel was made Inspector of Street Sprinkling.
As a long-time resident and now official of the City of Los Angeles, Martin Wetzel was well known. So when his son had an accident on the 4th of July, 1889 it made the Los Angeles Times. In a column titled "Accidents and Incidents of the Fourth" the following information was reported:
The son of Martin Wetzel was badly hurt yesterday by a shooting instrument made by his own hands. He took a large cartridge shell and drilling a hole in the drum end, he loaded it with powder and rock, and placing the cartridge in a wooden stock, used his improvised gun for shooting cats and other things. The last load, however, was too heavy for the gun and it exploded. A portion of the shell struck the boy in the forehead, making a severe cut. Dr. Allen dressed the wound and says it is serious.
RAYMOND SHOT HIS BROTHER
A Shocking Accident Which Occurred Yesterday.
the Result of a Boy Being- Trusted With Firearms.
Charley Wetzel's Death — His Brother Does Not Know How the Accident Happened—His Account of the Sad Affair.
A shocking tragedy occurred yesterday noon, near the five-mile house, north of the city, by which little Raymond Wetzel, 13 years old, accidentally shot and killed his elder brother, Charley Wetzel, 15 years old. The boys are sons of Martin Wetzel, engineer of engine No. 7, of the Los Angeles fire department, one of the best known members of the department.
The news reached the city at 1 o'clock, and Mr. Sharp, of Peck, Sharp & Neitzke, undertakers, went out to the five mile house, returning with the body, and the heart-broken little fellow who had been the cause of the accident.
The story of the accident was related to a Herald reporter by Raymond Wetzel, between his sobs, and as he sat on a chair in the undertaker's office, holding on to a string, at the other end of which was a little dog, who looked up at him, and occasionally whined.
"My brother Charley and I, and Ethelbert Vincent started out from home this morning," said Raymond, "to go up the valley towards Glendale. We had a little wagon with us, and a single-barreled shot gun to shoot squirrels with, if we saw any. We walked beyond the five-mile house to Ramona, where we got some grapes, and then turned to come back. Bert was sick at Ramona, and didn't feel very good as we came along back. Before we got to the five-mile house he sat down to rest a little, and my brother and I went on slowly. When we were a short ways from Bert, about 100 feet, I guess, my brother saw a squirrel to the right of the road, and told me to get the gun and shoot him. He was hauling the wagon by the handle, and I was on the left band.side of it. The gun was in the wagon, with the muzzle pointing towards Charley. I jumped around behind the wagon and to the right side. I put my hands on the gun to pick it up, and it went off. Charley said, 'My God!' and fell down on the ground. I hallooed to Bert that Charley was shot, and threw out the box of grapes that was in the wagon. When Bert came we picked my brother up and put him in the wagon. Then we brought him to the Five-mile house, and they telephoned to town. The wagon was pretty small, but we got him there some way."
The boy tried to choke back the tears, but they would come. Further questions being put to him, he said that the gun was lying with the stock close against the back of the wagon, and the muzzle reached out in front, elevated to the height of the front board. He said he had hardly touched it before it went off. He was positive that it was not cocked. When he grasped it, he put one hand on the barrel just where it joins the stock. He could not tell whether the hammer hit anything or not. But of course this must have happened, as the gun would not have gone off by itself.
This statement of the accident was corroborated by others and the circumstances. When Mr. Sharp reached the five-mile house he found the body of the boy. He was still alive, although unconscious, when brought in, and very soon he breathed his last. The wound from which he died was in the back of his head, the whole charge of shot having entered a little above the neck. A visit to the scene of the shooting was made by Mr. Sharp, and he found a pool of blood in the middle of the road, where the unfortunate boy fell, and in it some of the brains which had oozed from the wound before he was lifted into the wagon.
Charley Wetzel was a bright boy, and has been working for some time past at the job printing establishment of Kinsley & Barnes. He and his brother have always been companions and they were very much attached to each other. Raymond has been going to school at the Chestnut street public school out Temple street, and is a sturdy little fellow. They had planned this little jaunt as it was the only day when Charley had leisure. They had their friend, Ethelbert Vincent, go with them, and left home in great spirits, little thinking of the dreadful termination of the day's outing.
The news of the tragedy was communicated to the parents, and their grief was very affecting. They were completely prostrated by it, and have the sympathy of a great many friends in the city, where Mr. Wetzel is exceedingly well known, he having been an engineer on the Southern Pacific for many years before entering into the service of the fire department. Coroner Weldon was at San Pedro yesterday, and will return this morning, when an inquest will be held at 10 o'clock.
The inquest was held on August 30, 1892 and the verdict was that "the deceased came to his death from a gunshot wound and that it was purely accidental." Here's his Death Certificate:
Here's Charlie's Death Notice from the Los Angeles Herald of Tuesday, August 30, 1892:
The Wetzel family purchased a family plot in the Evergreen Cemetery in Los Angeles in Section H - Lot 5008:
Life goes on after a tragedy and by 1893 Martin Wetzel left the Southern Pacific Railroad and joined the Los Angeles Fire Department as an Engineer in Fire Company #7 with the rank of captain. His career with the Fire Department got off to a rocky start according to two reports in the Los Angeles Times. First, from September 21, 1893:
The chief reported that after the fire on the 16th inst., Assistant Chief McMahon suspended Capt. Martin Wetzel for being dilatory in picking up hose, and when spoken to about it, answered in an insolent manner.
And again on December 7, 1893:
It is understood, however, that the session was for the purpose of discussing certain charges against Martin Wetzel, of engine company No. 2, located on Sixteenth street. […] Just what the charges against Wetzel are have not been made public, but it is stated that he is charged with a violation of rule 27 of the department, which rule is in reference to intoxication.
Martin Wetzel's career with the Los Angeles Fire Department came to an end - either by his resignation or being fired. After the Fire Department he was employed by the Los Angeles Electric Railway.
The chief reported that after the fire on the 16th inst., Assistant Chief McMahon suspended Capt. Martin Wetzel for being dilatory in picking up hose, and when spoken to about it, answered in an insolent manner.
And again on December 7, 1893:
It is understood, however, that the session was for the purpose of discussing certain charges against Martin Wetzel, of engine company No. 2, located on Sixteenth street. […] Just what the charges against Wetzel are have not been made public, but it is stated that he is charged with a violation of rule 27 of the department, which rule is in reference to intoxication.
Martin Wetzel's career with the Los Angeles Fire Department came to an end - either by his resignation or being fired. After the Fire Department he was employed by the Los Angeles Electric Railway.
Tragedy struck the Wetzel family again in June of 1897, robbing them of their remaining son, Raymond. Here's the sad tale from the Los Angeles Herald of June 9, 1897:
HE MADE NO OUTCRY
An Apprentice Squeezed To Death in a Machine Shop
A Set Screw Caught in His Sleeve and Tightened His Clothing Around His Neck and Chest
Raymond Wetzel, a young man employee in the Southern Pacific machine shops on San Fernando street, was caught in the set screw of a drill last night and killed. The accident happened at 10 o'clock.
Wetzel, who is an apprentice in the shop, was working at the drill when his sleeve caught on the point of the screw. He attempted to free himself, but was unable to do so. The screw held to his coat sleeve and kept drawing him toward it. Finally he was drawn slowly but powerfully against the upright bar. Expecting every second that his coat would give way and free him, the young man made no outcry, and other employees near him knew nothing of the accident until afterward. Finally the grip around his chest and neck tightened and he was slowly squeezed to death.
He was found late by another workman and cut down. The coroner was notified and the body was removed to Kregelo & Bresee's undertaking parlors, where an inquest will be held today.
Wetzel was a single man and lived with his father, Martin Wetzel, at 541 Pasadena avenue. The later is a motorneer on the Pasadena electric line.
Here's Raymond's Death Certificate:
Within five years Martin and Julia Wetzel lost both of their sons in tragic accidents. Their friends and neighbors were bereft. Here's a note that was in the Los Angeles Herald on Thursday, June 10, 1897:
He was found late by another workman and cut down. The coroner was notified and the body was removed to Kregelo & Bresee's undertaking parlors, where an inquest will be held today.
Wetzel was a single man and lived with his father, Martin Wetzel, at 541 Pasadena avenue. The later is a motorneer on the Pasadena electric line.
Here's Raymond's Death Certificate:
Within five years Martin and Julia Wetzel lost both of their sons in tragic accidents. Their friends and neighbors were bereft. Here's a note that was in the Los Angeles Herald on Thursday, June 10, 1897:
Here's the Death Notice from the Los Angeles Herald on the same day:
The remaining family buried Raymond next to his brother at Evergreen Cemetery:
It seems that the Wetzel family had not suffered enough in the loss of their two sons. This was reported in the Los Angeles Times from Wednesday, August 17, 1898:
The Los Angeles Herald reported that Wetzel had recovered and was able to return to work on September 27, 1898.
The 1900 US Census shows empty-nesters Martin and Julia Wetzel living at 514 Pasadena Avenue in Los Angeles. Martin reported his age as 48; Julia was 44. They reported that they had been married for twenty-five years. Julia told the census taker that she had given birth to three children, only one was still alive in 1900. (Their daughter Emma Wetzel had married Robert Heaney (1870-1921) in 1896 and was living with her husband in Los Angeles). Martin reported his occupation as "Motorman," and that he owned his house free and clear.
In 1901 the Los Angeles Times reported that Martin Wetzel had been appointed County Engineer.
It wasn't all tragedy or politics for Martin Wetzel - there were some good times as well. The Los Angeles Times on June 23, 1901 reported:
Informal Party
Mrs. Martin Wetzel entertained a company of friends Thursday evening at her home No. 514 Pasadena Avenue, East Los Angeles. Fifteen couples were present, and the evening was enjoyably spent.
and from the Los Angeles Times on May 25, 1902:
Stag Party
Martin Wetzel was the host at a jolly Dutch supper, given at his home on Pasadena avenue, Thursday evening. The guests, numbering about seventeen, being members of the Liederkrantz and Valley Hunt clubs of Pasadena. It was a meeting of old friends,and a store of mutual recollections was revived; old stories were retold and a few new ones were vouched for. In the fish-story contest, the host is said to have received the prize by acclamation.
It appears that Martin Wetzel was an inventor too. This article appeared in the Los Angeles Herald in February of 1904:
INVENTS NEW OIL BURNER
Engineer Wetzel Has a Unique Contrivance
For the past two or three days Martin Wetzel has been experimenting with a contrivance of his own invention calculated to economize fuel in oil burning plants, and he now claims that he has got it in good working shape. The contrivance is attached to the oil burner under the boilers which furnish the heat for the court house, and is connected with the steam pipes. It is automatically arranged so that when the steam pressure gets low the oil feed increases, raising the temperature under the boilers and bringing the steam pressure up to normal. It works equally well the other way, for, when the pressure gets too high the feed of oil is automatically checked, the temperature decreases and the pressure goes back. This contrivance guarantees a steady heat and at the same time economizes the fuel, bringing the consumption to the minimum for the pressure required. Mr. Wetzel believes that this is the first contrivance of its kind and will proceed at once to apply for patents on it. He does not know of anything of the kind ever having been used successfully. A modification of the idea may be worked out for use on locomotives, but the difficulty with that style of engine is that it requires sudden changes of pressure. When the locomotive is climbing it requires far higher pressure than when running on a level or going down grade, so that it will require some study to suit the apparatus for this clans of boilers. For stationary engines, however, the inventor believes it is now complete.
The 1910 US Census shows Martin and Julia Wetzel living in the same house - although the address has changed. 514 Pasadena Avenue was changed to be called "2114 Pasadena Avenue" in the City of Los Angeles. Unfortunately 2114 Pasadena Avenue was taken to build the Golden State Freeway - that address no longer exists. Martin reported his age as 58; Julia reported 54. Martin was actually 60; Julia was 55. Martin told the census taker that his occupation was "Engineer in a Locomotive Factory."
Newspaper mentions of Martin Wetzel from the 1910s were limited to his activities as part of the Los Angeles County Pioneers' Association. One mention was that Wetzel had been "engineer on the first train that steamed out of Los Angeles," while another said he "helped build the railroad from Wilmington to Los Angeles in '69."
The 1920 US Census had few surprises. Martin and Julia were still living in the same place, 2114 Pasadena avenue in Los Angeles. Martin was 70, Julia was 65 - both listed "None" for Occupations. There is one change: They have taken in a boarder, fifty-one year old Augusta Lindberg, originally from Sweden. Augusta listed her occupation as "Machinist" and listed her primary language as "Swedish" although she said she also spoke English.
Martin Wetzel died June 12, 1922 at his home from heart disease. He was seventy-one years old. Here is his Death Certificate:
Here is his Death Notice from the Los Angeles Times:
and his Obituary:
Like his two sons, Martin Wetzel was buried in the family plot at Evergreen Cemetery:
Julia Wetzel died on June 2, 1929 at the age of 73.
Some people seem to go through life happy and carefree. They are happily married, financially secure, and beloved by all. They seem to have the "magic touch" that everything they touch turns to gold - literally or figuratively. And then there are the rest of us.
Unfortunately for Martin Wetzel he fell into the second category - losing both of his sons in a five year period - and both from freak accidents. To top it off, Wetzel himself is almost killed when he is crushed between two rail cars in 1898. At times it must have seem to him that his family was jinxed. But Martin Wetzel was a survivor. There were some bumps, to be sure, but ultimately he overcame adversity and went on to live a happy life - and isn't that what we all are striving for?
Martin Wetzel and his family - may they rest in peace.
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