Local News
Dogs pay ultimate sacrifice in saving Charlotte man’s life
CHARLOTTE — The dogs were barking and barking — but it wasn’t their usual kind of bark, Todd Schau finally realized as he roused from a nap to encounter white smoke in the house. Then he saw flames in the bathroom.
He released the dogs from their kennel and fled from the house. One of the dogs followed him, but the others perished.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them,” he said.
The house along Highway 136 between Goose Lake and Charlotte, which was home to Todd and Sandra Schau and the three children still at home, was a complete loss, despite the efforts of fire fighters from Charlotte, Goose Lake, Preston, Miles, Delmar, Welton and Low Moor. Maquoketa also responded, but was no longer needed.
The Clinton County secondary roads department contributed by spreading sand on the highway after water from the fire effort began to freeze. The sheriff’s department provided traffic control. The Red Cross moved in to make sure the family’s immediate needs were met.
The children all heard the news while they were in classes at Northeast elementary and high school. Memos were sent home with students to inform area families of the loss.
Even before classes were dismissed for the day, plans were being made for fundraisers. At the elementary school, it was decided the usual Friday popcorn sale proceeds would go to the family.
And the staff decided that in place of their usual Christmas gift exchange they would buy toys for each other — to go to the family.
In the high school, students were coming into the office asking how they could help.
“We are trying to direct the students through their class advisors,” said principal Joe Jarvis, “to make sure what we do is acceptable and in line with what the family would like.”
Despite all he had lost, Todd Schau struggled for words as he said, “I can’t say thanks enough for all the firemen and people who worked to help in any way.”
Meanwhile, according to Charlotte Mayor Marty Jahn, the state fire marshal has visited the site and was to return today to try to determine the origin of the fire. There was a wood burning stove in the house, Jahn said.
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