A True Local Hero

There are many heroes in the world, most of whom never planned to be one. Heroes seem to happen in the spur of the moment, when there is little time to think, and actions just take over.

Dassel has a hero like that, now long gone, but no less a hero. In April 1916, L. Peter Crumberg of Litchfield, and previously from Dassel, and Martin Martinson of Dassel were working as employees of a section crew for the railroad. They were on a repair project on the main track in Litchfield near the stockyards.

The Number 2 eastbound train came through at high speed without stopping. Martin Martinson, who was deaf, was right on the track and did not note the danger he was in. Mr. Crumberg stepped over and pulled or pushed him out of the way, but was not able to get himself beyond danger. A projecting part of the engine caught him in the chest, crushing it in, breaking nearly all of the ribs on that side. Mr. Crumberg was rushed to the hospital but died within a half hour from internal hemorrhages.

Today his remains lie in the Dassel Cemetery, with few people still aware that in a split second decision, he gave his life to save another. Martinson survived the incident and lived another sixteen years, passing in 1932.

Story from Dassel Anchor