Four newspaper articles

# 1 - - Published in The Pilot, December 20, 1922

Fred Oberst was killed while working on the Northwestern railroad track near the passenger depot last Monday morning. He had just stepped out of the way of an approaching train and didn’t see another one backing in. Both legs were cut off and he was so badly mangled that he died within half an hour. The funeral was held at the L. D. S. church this afternoon, Elder Carl Self, of Omaha, officiating. Deceased was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, Sept. 22, 1861 and was, therefore, past 61 years of age. He came to DeSoto when but a young man and had been working for the railroad company over forty years. In that time he had saved up quite a sum of money which he invested during the wildcat stock floatation a few years ago and lost most of it. He leaves three half brothers, John Oberst of Herman; Frank Oberst of Montgomery, Mich.; and Solomon Hineline of DeSoto; George, Chas, Frank and John Hineline, of DeSoto are stepbrothers. Also a full sister, Mrs. Jennie Christie of Scribner. He was a quiet, hard working man of sterling integrity who leaves many friends to mourn his sudden departure from this life.

# 2 - - Published in The Tribune, December 21, 1922

MAN KILLED BY TRAIN WHILE AT WORK IN YARDS

While at work in the railroad yards at the station here last Monday morning, Fred Oberst, a section hand was killed when a freight train backed on the track where he was shoveling cinders.

Mr. Oberst was aware that the morning passenger going west at 8:45 was in the yards, and his attention seemed to be given to keeping out of the way of that particular train but, evidently, was not aware that a freight was on the track where he was working, and he was knocked down by the string of cars and both legs and one arm were severed and death ensued in a few moments.

Fred Harry Oberst was born Sept. 27, 1862, in Sandusky, Ohio, and was a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Oberst Sr., and was 60 years old last September.

The funeral services were held at the L. D. S. church in this city on Wednesday afternoon, Attorney Carl T. Self of Omaha, reading the funeral lines and a choir consisting of Mesdames J. M. Kyde and J. P. Jensen and the Messrs. F. W. Arndt and D. C. Van Deusen singing a number of selections. Burial was made in the Blair cemetery.

Deceased had lived at DeSoto for many years before coming to Blair, and was greatly esteemed by his neighbors and friends, and was a quiet, unobtrusive man. The surviving relatives are John Oberst, Herman; and Frank Oberst, Montgomery, MIch. , both who are full brothers; Mrs. Jennie Christensen, Scribner; and Mrs. Fidella Teeters, in South Dakota, who are full sisters; Sol Hineline, DeSoto, half brother; Frank, George, John and Charles Hineline, step-brothers. Two sisters, Mrs. Olive Briggs of Beemer; and Mrs. Florence Tarey of Lamonia, Iowa, preceeded him in death.

His passing was tragic and cruel, but who shall say it was not the better way; those who cared for his remains say that he did not suffer in the few brief moments he lived after the accident.

# 3 - - from The Enterprise, December 21, 1922

OBITUARY

Fred Harry Oberst was born Sept. 27, 1862 in the state of Ohio, Sandusky county, Madison township. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Oberst Sr., and was 60 years, 2 months and 21 days old at the time of his death, which happened on Dec. 18, 1922, from being accidently killed by being run over by a train near the Blair depot.

He leaves to mourn his sad departure, two sisters, Mrs. Jennie Christie of Scribner, Nebr.; Mrs. Fidela Teeters of Michigan; two brothers, John Oberst of Herman, Nebr.; and Frank Oberst of Montgomery, Michigan; a half-brother, Solomon Hineline of DeSoto; John, George, Frank and Charley, all being stepbrothers; and a stepsister, Mrs. Harry Francher of Colorado. Two sisters, Mrs. Olive Briggs and mrs. Florence Tony of Lamoni, Iowa and a brother, Jay Horner, have preceeded him to the great beyond. There are several nieces and nephews who also mourn the departure of their uncle.

Mr. Oberst was never married and has lived at DeSoto for over a quarter of a century and was well respected by all who knew him. He was a man on honor and his word was as good as a bond. He never was known to speak evil of a neighbor nor to do any thing that would wrong any human being.

His care of his aged mother and his kindness to her will long be remembered by all his friends and neighbors.

He will be greatly missed by all who have been associated with him at work on the rail road and where he had won the respect and confidence of all for his long and faithful service to the rail road company.

The kindly feeling between himself, his brothers and sisters and his stepbrothers and sisters has never been marred by either act or deed and only kind thoughts will be borne in mind by his relatives and friends of the life of their departed relative.

The neighbors and community mourn with the bereaved relatives his sudden passing away and are trusting his future to a kind and merciful Savior. The funeral services were held at the Re-Organized church of Latter Day Saints Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m., in charge of Attorney Carl T. Self of Omaha. The choir who sang the hymns were Mesdames E. Z. Brumbaugh, Lillian A Kyde, Mrs. J. P. Jensen, Messrs. Don C. Van Deusen, and Nels Lindberg with Mrs. Grace Rathmann at the organ. The services were largely attended. Burial in the Blair cemetery on the Hineline family lot. Contributed

# 4 - - from Ft. Calhoun Chronicle, December 24, 1922

Fred Oberst, an old-time resident of DeSoto, and for many years a section hand on the Blair section of the M. & O., was killed by a train while working in the Blair yards Monday. Mr. Oberst was a half-brother of Solly Hineline of DeSoto, with whom he made his home.

(typed as printed in the newspaper. The relationship of brothers and sisters was particularly puzzling.)