Folk Art Dog Doorstop Carved by August "Gust" Bohn Circa 1930s

Another great story uncovered from a hand-written note attached to the bottom of a small carved dog doorstop. On the bottom of the doorstop, the note reads: "Doorstop carved and made by Gust Bohn. He only had one leg and stayed with John and Minnie Leitow."
I couldn't rest until I discovered who "Gust" Bohn was. I figured that "Gust" was short for August, so I looked up August Bohn on the internet. There were a few "August Bohns" who seemed to be related. Then, I came across the photo. There was my "Gust" with one leg and crutches!!! He is actually listed with the wrong August Bohn family, but there is no doubt in my mind that this is "Gust." I did find him in the 1940 census living with John and Minnie Leitow as stated on the note.

Here is information gathered from the internet as well as a court case seeking compensation for Gust's injury and leg amputation at age 4:
August Bohn was born on 20 February 1865, in Troy, Rensselaer, New York., His father was Johann Adam Bohn and his mother was Maria Anna Kölmel. He lived in Saginaw, Michigan, His occupation is listed as farm laborer. in Chesaning, Township of Chesaning, Saginaw, Michigan. He died on 18 June 1946, in Maple Grove, Saginaw, Michigan. His brothers were Heinrich "Henry" and Gilbert, Joseph and Charles Bohn.

August or "Gust" lost his leg in a tragic horse-drawn trolley accident on August 4, 1869 whenever he was just 4 years old. The East Saginaw Street Railway Company was involved and a lawsuit was filed. His brother "Henry" was about twelve years old when he took his younger brother into town to get an empty jug filled with vinegar for their mother. They were seated on the platform of a horse-drawn trolley with their feet on the steps whenever the accident occurred and August fell and had his leg crushed beneath the wheels of the trolley. His leg could not be saved and the amputation took place. The case was lost because the conductor stated that the boys were told to go inside the trolley and refused.
Later in life, August was staying with the Leitow family. Mr. Leitow was the brother of the wife of August's brother, Henry. It seems that August was a good wood carver. A carved dog doorstop was recently discovered. A label on the bottom states: "Doorstop carved and made by "Gust" Bohn. He only had one leg and stayed with John and Minnie Leitow."

Here is a link to the case: https://archive.org/details/jstor-3303786
You have to click on "Full Text" on the right.

The doorstop looks so much better in person as compared to the photos. I love it!!!