File:1969 - Letter from Olivia Schilling to Lyla Jaus following Otto Jaus fatal car accident.jpg

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source: RN Baur estate

Olivia Schilling wrote this letter to Lyla Jaus following a Car Crash of 1968 in which William Friedrichs, Emma Bentz, Otto Jaus, Agnes Bentz and Anna Friedrichs died.

New Ulm Minnesota

Wednesday a.m. 9

Dear Folks,

Putz and Vi just left for Milwaukee, WI on their way home to Flint, MI. These have been busy days for us. The weather rather disagreeable and cold most of the time. Today is no warmer, 8 degrees above now, but snow is predicted And so it goes.

If the kids come by bus from Minneapolis, MN, it gets here 10 minutes to 9 in the evening. As I told you, Putz went down last night and had to wait because bus was late and then they weren't there. We will wait for a telephone call before we try to meet them at the bus depot here.

So sorry the kids had their vacation spoiled with the pesky flu, however I'm sure you gave them good care. The Hong Kong flu as taken a treacherous toll on some people. Orpha Helen has been at the hospital and was in very serious condition. Got oxygen and it was thought she could not make it. However, she pulled through and is still at the hospital.

The funerals are over. It was a sight to behold 5 coffins at the Gibbon Funeral Home.The funeral people (Minnesota Valley from New Ulm) did a very good job in handling details. All coffins alike. We and Broby Friedrich and wife made many decisions, picked the one we both liked. When the Grewes came they decided to take the same as we so all were alike, casket, spray, etc.

Each had its own personal flowers and that too looked real nice. We spent $50 apiece and so Uncle Otto had a nice piece too. Annie had the Ladies Aid and a piece from the Sharpings.

When we left the cemetery, I've never seen a more impressive sight. All for side-by-side, ready to be lowered into one common grave.

Emma Grew was buried next to her husband and that service was in the forenoon (Saturday) in the Gibbon Church. All of us went there too.

All the relatives won wiet unt breit (from far and wide) you can say. They then came to Moltke in the P.M. All of these people mostly relatives to both. So many unusual things about it all.

Dad had the Dabl Sound and Equipment people from New Ulm, MN come out and wire the school and basement for loudspeakers. We were afraid there would not be enough room. As it turned out, it wouldn't have been necessary as there was enough room in the basement.

The bodies were badly mangled with multiple fractures. The Undertaker said they never realized what hit them. In other words, death was instant. Annie lived in Gaylord Hospital from 3:30 P.M. to 2:30 A.M, mostly in unconscious state. Rarely had a moment of probable consciousness when she complained of her arm (broken of course).

We must say Bobby Friedrich and wife were just wonderful to deal with. They were so concerned that we should have our noon meal at Moltke etc etc.

Now that this is all over with, we do know that they both have a will, having both designated Buby to be their administrator. We don’t know more. That will be revealed when he goes to Winthrop to see their attorney Larson.

Annie, having lived after Otto died, may make a difference in how she wanted it all to go. Putz was very concerned, hoping of course, that he through his mother may be remembered. Dad doesn't believe he is and so we shall see.

The house <ref> Martin Jaus Sr.'s house on Jaus Farm</ref> is locked. Only Buby plus some witnesses may enter and so you see there many complexities.

I called the New Ulm Journal to send the( January 2nd Thursday) issued to you and also one to Clara. So let me know if you received it and that they sent the right issue to you.

Tanta Anna has been with us a lot. She is taking this okay. We will take her along downtown this a.m. since we have snow forecast and it is a little above zero so it is a good time to go I guess.

Hope you may soon all be over the flu and that no complications shall be experienced. Under these circumstances, it really was best you didn't try to come. It would have been no satisfaction to leave your family behind. Dad said too, before you could have crossed the mountains you would have already worried about getting back. So gehts (That’s how it is).

Greetings to you all, Mom

PS: ask any questions if my above ramble left much unsaid or explained.

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