Stories of Related Family's

About 1927 Cyrus Van Winkle, whose family was one of the oldest pioneer families in Bristow, suffered an accident while cutting timber on his farm. The tree leaned badly and when it was almost down, it split and jumped back across the stump. His eight-year-old son, Eugene, was assisting him and appeared to be in danger. Van Winkle went to his rescue only to be caught in the jagged end of the fallen tree and was all but crushed into the ground. The boy was not hurt but it took many months for Cyrus's broken leg to heal so that he could get around and he never fully recovered from it. Cyrus was a school teacher for forty school terms, all of which were in Clark Township. Mr. Van Winkle died June 16, 1939 at age 70. His son Eugene who suffered from a kidney ailment died at age 10 1/2.

A Bristow History 125 years.

Fred J. Witte

Fred J. Witte, 67, of Bristow, drowned in the Anderson Creek March 17, 1960. Mrs. Maggie Flamion whose home is within sight of the spot of the drowning, said she saw Witte as 1te walked down to the creek bank about 100 yards below the Bristow bridge. She saw him fall backward in the water and assumed he had suffered a heart attack. The victim had been in failing health about two years. Surviving are his wife, Mayme; a daughter, Mrs. Carl (Mary) Nielsen, Lamar; a son, Arthur Witte, Evansville; a sister, Mrs Anna Van Winkle, Tell City; two brothers Erost and William, both of Dale; a granddaughter, Brenda Neilsen. Mr. and Mrs. Witte also reared Mrs. Witte's brother Herbert Jones of Bristow.  A Bristow History 125 years.

Related to the times of Bristow

Coal Mine Collapse

December 1948 was the date of a horrible mine accident. Four men were in the mine. The body of William Huff, 34, was recovered. The bodies of Jacob Harpenau, James Robert Kellems and Thomas McCallister were not recovered and the spot is marked with a marker in the woods near St. Meinrad.

William Huff, 34, left behind his wife of just three years, Nancy Ann.

Jake Harpenau, 40, left behind a wife, Helen, and five children all under the age of 15. Charles, Robert, David, Janet LeMaire and Mary Becker.Jacqueline Rosemary was born 6 months later. She was called Jackie after her father.

Robert Kellems, 57, was survived by his wife, Easter, he left fatherless nine children.

 A Bristow History 125 years.

Metal forms jut from the water from what will be part of the foundation for a new Huffman Mill bridge. The new $1.5 million span over the Anderson River is being erected by Ragle Construction of Newburgh. The historic covered bridge in the background will be preserved as a walking bridge. Federal funds will pay for the majority of the new bridge’s cost. Spencer and Perry counties are shouldering their own right-of-way expenses and will split other costs.
 

PHOTO: Vince Luecke, Perry County News