At 8:33 p.m. on May 11, the Putnam County Sheriff's Department received a 911 call from a residence on Highway 26 in Magnolia Township reporting someone pinned under a fallen tree. Putnam County Emergency Medical Service and the fire departments of Magnolia, Hennepin and Henry responded to the scene. The victim was identified as John W. Rott, 54. Rott was pronounced dead at the scene by the Putnam County death investigator. It appeared as though Rott was clearing brush when a tree gave way on the hillside and fell onto Rott who was in an open cab tractor.
