PUTNAM, Harvey Clinton died 1894

PUTNAM

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 11/25/2012 at 11:54:18

Postville Graphic, 25 Oct. 1894.

Boy Killed.

On Saturday afternoon Harvey Clinton Putnam, 11-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Putnam, was struck and instantly killed by the engine of the east-bound passenger train in the Milwaukee yard. Harvey was returning home from a neighboring farm with a pailful of corn which he had procured to feed some pet doves. The incoming Burlington train attracted his attention, and he stood watching it on the north side of the St. Paul track when the pilot struck and threw the light little figure high in the air and away for about sixty feet. On being picked up it was found that the little fellow's neck was dislocated, one of his limbs crushed and his body bruised. Death was instantaneous. The Burlington fireman and express messenger saw the danger in which the boy stood and did their utmost to signal the men on the St. Paul engine, but without avail. These trains make a close connection at this point and frequently come in at a far greater speed than is allowed by law. It is presumed that both the engineer and fireman were watching the train on the opposite track rather than looking ahead on their own. No signal was given, not even the bell being rung. It would seem as though a stop might be made to such transgression of the ordinance regulating the speed of trains within corporation limits.

Harvey was an industrious little fellow ready for any odd job his strength permitted him to undertake. Invariably kind and obliging, though young in years, he had won hosts of friends. As salesboy for the Chicago Blade he was more than ordinarily successful, and had just sent his photograph for that publication to make an engraving from. An account of his tragic fate has been sent to that paper and will probably appear this week. To the grief stricken parents, sisters and little brother, words of comfort seem idle. Their's is a sorrow which human sympathy can do little to assuage. We can only commend them to Him who doeth all things well. The funeral services, conducted Monday afternoon by Pastor Hand at the Congregational church were largely attended by friends of the family.

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Submitter is not related.

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