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Burns, Thomas J. died 1883

BURNS

Posted By: Paul Young (email)
Date: 4/13/2019 at 13:16:20

North Iowa Times Thursday Aug 2, 1883

For the third time in the past six weeks has the quietude of our little city been disturbed and horror-stricken, as it were, by telegrams announcing the sudden death of some loved one, near and dear to many of our citizens. On Tuesday afternoon, July 24th, the sad tidings reached here that Thomas J. Burns, youngest son of John and Mary Burns, of our city, was instantly killed by the cars near Conover Station. Thomas J. Burns was brakeman on trains No. 15 and 18, W. P. Tubbs, conductor, and, as we understand, was on top of the train, as were also brakemen Charles Allen and Fred Strong, and were "holding up’’ the train, as it is a heavy down grade into Conover Station. Both Allen and Strong saw him set one brake and start for another, and it is supposed that he was in the act of stepping from one car to another just as the train parted or broke in two, which precipitated him to the ground and the rear part of the train, consisting of eight cars and the caboose, passed over him, no doubt killing him instantly, as life was extinct when Conductor Tubbs reached him. His head, left arm and right leg were badly crushed. His remains were brought to our city on train No. 2 the same evening and taken to tho home he had left but a few short hours before in good health, where his aged father and mother and a brother, almost heart broken, awaited his coming. Thomas was only nineteen years of age—a voting man of good habits respected by all; always had a smile and a good word for every one; a dutiful son and loving brother Mr. and Mrs. Burns have the heartfelt sympathy of the community in this their hour of grief and sorrow.

When the sun shone through its lining
Upon the ground there lay
The mangled form of a hero true,
His life blood ebbing away.
Friends, none were there to see him smile,
To catch his latest breath:
Tell the dear ones at home to pray for me,
Then passed away to death,
Little he knew when leaving home,
Kissing each one at the door
That from them he was going
To see them never more. . . .
The brakeman's lot Is a hard one to bear,
Out In the storm and rain;
Giving up his life, may be,
For the safety of his train.

The funeral service was held at the Catholic church on Thursday morning at 11 o'clock, Rev. Father Nagle preaching the funeral sermon. Mr. and Mrs. Burns tender their heartfelt gratitude to their many friends who kindly assisted them during their great sorrow.


 

Clayton Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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