William Mecklingberg, a young IWW organizer, tragically died after falling from a freight car near Willmar, suffering severe injuries that led to his death an hour later. His body, identified through personal papers and confirmed by his father, will be sent to his home in San Francisco for burial.
Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) Organizer Killed
William Mecklingberg, a young man 26 or 27 years of age, met a tragic death Saturday afternoon about a mile west of the depot at Willmar, near the Peter Swenson residence. He is said to have boarded the train at Morris.
He fell backward from the side door of an empty freight car, and under the wheels. Both his legs and the left hand were cut off. There was a cut over the left eye and one on the back of the head.
One limb was found 150 feet from the body. The pocket book and watch were found about one hundred feet from the body.
The accident happened at 5 o’clock, but life was not extinct until six.
James Radcliffe, a man of about 56, was in the car when the accident happened, and he hurried to notify Chief of Police Gilbertson as soon as he could get off the train. Radcliffe had boarded the train at Benson, but had no trouble with the dead man. Radcliffe is an itinerant soldier of fortune who makes his way by giving musical concerts on the streets.
From papers found in the pockets of the dead man, Chief Gilbertson was led to believe that his home had been McPherson, Kansas, and wired to that city for information. He received a reply today that “William Mecklingberg’s home is at 1410 Shrader St., San Francisco, Calif.”
Reports found on the body indicate that the dead man was an organizer for the IWW. He had enrolled 18 members this month. The fee is $2.50, and dues 50 cents per month. His watch was engraved “IWW Rulers of the World.” No doubt the officers of the organization will be interested to learn of the sad fate of their comrade.
Mecklingberg’s body will be shipped by express to San Francisco, the parents having deposited the necessary amount with the express company in that city. The telegram to Chief Gilbertson requesting this was signed by the father, F.W. Mecklingberg.
Morris tribune. (Morris, Minn.), 31 Aug. 1917.
