Neligh Leader, Neligh, Nebraska, May 5, 1905:

Death In The Elkhorn - Jasper JASPERSON

Jasper Jasperson is Carried Over the Dam and Drowned

Spectators Helpless: Three companions in the boat are saved after thrilling experiences. Two have narrow escapes. One is miracuously saved. The body has not yet been recovered. The drowning of Jasper Jasperson last Sunday adds another to the long list ov victims claimed by the treacherous waters of the Elkhorn river.

The accident occurred between 3 and 4 o'clock and was witnessed by a large number of people on the banks of the river, who had been attracted to the spot by the extraordinary high stage of water, almost equalling the flood of a few weeks ago. Four young men, Jasper Jasperson, Oluf Jasperson (the correct name was Jens ) his brother; Peter Neilson, a cousin, and Martin Rode, all Danes, hired a row boat of Mr. Riley, Intending to go up the river. With them were some young ladies, but they refused to enter the boat, being frighteded by the treatening appearance of the river, which after events proved well founde. The young men appeared strangers in the art of handling a boat properly, and tis was soon caught in the current and carried beneath the river bridge. By catching and holding onto the iron wort of the structure they escaped the impending danger and finally reached the still water on the north shore. They managed to get the boat some little distance above the bridge and agin made the attemt to row up the river, and a second thme were carried under the bridge and the boat turned sideways to the swift current. They became alarmed, and Jasper Jasperson, bis brother and Martin Rhode attempted to save themselves by catchinghold of the iron wort of the bridge and drawing themselves up to safety. The two latter were successfull in their effort, but the first fell into the water and was rapidly carried down stream. He caught on on a wire thetwas hanging in the water and had been use early in the spring to hold the ice from going out. This gave no hopes of safety, as the strong current drew his head and body beneath the water, and he was forced to release the grasp. The water rapidly shallowed as he started down the river, and for a short time a large portion of his body was above the surface. The current was, however, irresistable. In the meantime Peter Neilson, who had remained in the boat, had escaped by throwing his body across the light foot bridge as the boat passed over the crest of the dam.. All the companions of the young mann who was battling for life in the water, as well as spectators of the tagedy, rushed to the banks of the river and the foot bridge to give what aid might be in their power. Olof(Jens) Jasperson plunged frantically into the river to save his brother, but was unable to reach him and was carried down the river and rescued at the foot bridge which he caught hold of and was saved when a second's time meant certain death, by the help of those who were on the bridge. His brother passed under the bridge at nearly the same time and caught at a hanging roap, but was unable to stay plunged into the boiling caldron af the waters below the dam. Carefull watch was kept at the spot, but his body was not seen to arise to the surface and very shortly all hope of his escape was abandoned. After wards it was thought that the body was seen in the eddying and boiling waters jus below the dam, and at once ropes upon which the were hooks, and afterwards tarbed wire, was lovered into the current with the hope that it might result in hooking the body. No success attended the effort and the nect morning a more systematic manner was adopted and the vicinity of the river abanks searched with grappling irons. During the day Jess Winn's gasoline launch was brought into use and the search continued but withous success. Fencing wire has been streched across the river some distance below to catch the body if it passes fown the stream. The general impressein seems to be that thed body is lodged om some of the brusch with which the bottom and sides of the river are strewn. Outside of an aunt and her children, who redide north of Neligh, Jasper Jasperson had no relatives in this country besides the brother who was with him at the time and another brother liveing in Iowa. He was a young man who has wll earned every wort of encomium that has been spoken. He has been attending Gates academy in a determined effort to gain an English education and has won the respect of the students and endeared himself to the faculty by conscientious effort in studies and the higher planes of life. Besides he was industrious and it was only a question of a short time when he would reach the height of an often expressed abition to be a "worthy American citizen"; the obligaition of its duties being to him a matter of deep significance. From the same paper: Last Sunday evening at the M. E. Church the pastor made allusion to the sudden death of Mr. Jasperson who attended churdh the that morning. Next Sunday evening he will give a sermon in his memory. Subject: "Only a Step to Death." Mr. Jasperson will be really missed from the League and Sunday school of which he was a member.

Neligh Leader: Neligh, Nebraska, November 9, 1906

James K. JASPERSON

James K. Jasperson, living a short distance north of town, was killed Monday evening ( November 5, 1906) by a kick from a horse. He, with his cousin Ray Paulson, had started to unharness a team when a kitten ran in front of one of the animals, frightening it. The animal kicked viciously, and its hoof struck Jasperson on the back of the skull, breaking his neck. Death must have been instaneous, as he never uttered a sound. A little over a year ago a brother was drowned under tragic circumstances in the Elkhorn River, being carried over the dam. Both young men were Danes, and left their parents in the old country to seek their fortunes in America. They stood high in the estimation of the community, being industrious, and in every way exemplary citizens.

Funeral services were held at the home Wednesday, and the body was placed to rest in Laurel Hill Cemetery. (next to his brother).