Jenkins, Arthur L. 1885 - 1909

JENKINS

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 9/3/2021 at 10:50:39

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 02 Dec. 1909. From the Guttenberg Press, undated.

A telegram was received last Saturday morning by H. G. Jenkins announcing the accidental death of his son Arthur L. Jenkins, which occurred at Fargo, N.D., about 7:45 on Friday evening. Mr. Jenkins, accompanied by his son Charles, departed for Fargo Saturday afternoon and returned Monday evening with the body.

Particulars concerning the young man's tragic death was as follows: Arthur, who was employed as a switchman in the yards of the Northern Pacific road at Fargo, was at the time of the accident engaged with other members of the switching crew in making up a train and while giving and receiving signals he was obliged to step some little from the train he was helping make up in order to signal others of the crew at the rear end and in doing so stepped too near another switch track and was struck by a large passenger engine that was backing along the track. With lantern in hand he stood just outside the rail, his attention called in the opposite direction from the approaching engine, the corner of the tender striking him in the side. His body was thrown across the rail and in that manner he was pushed along the rail by the wheels a distance of about two car lengths before the engine was stopped. Strange as it appears the wheels did not pass over the body, but pushed it along the rail. This was probably due to the presence of snow on the track.

It was evident that the unfortunate man did not hear the approaching engine owing to other sounds. The accident was witnessed by three members of the switching crew, but who were unable to warn him in time to save himself from the approaching danger. As soon as the engine stopped they rushed to his aid. Physicians and an ambulance were summoned and were soon on the scene. The injured man was at once removed to the hospital where he expired two hours after the accident. When examined at the hospital it was discovered that the body was nearly disemboweled, besides a number of bruises about the head and limbs.

Arthur had been in the employ of the Northern Pacific but ten days prior to his death, having for several months previous to that time been employed as a brakeman on the Soo road. His career as a railroader began on this division of the Milwaukee road about four years ago when he entered the service as freight brakeman and continued in that capacity until last spring. Arthur was a good railroad man and was considered by fellow trainmen as extremely careful in the performance of his duties about the cars and was held in esteem by his associates both on and off the road.

Arthur L. Jenkins, whose untimely death occurred as above described, was born at Garnavillo Dec. 10, 1885, but had spent the greater part of his life in Guttenberg, where the family has since resided.

The funeral was held at 1:30 Wednesday afternoon from the family residence. Atty. Chas. E. Scholz delivered an address at the house and also at the grave, touching on the life of the deceased. The pall bearers were J. H. Rademacher, Geo. Fredelake, John Cassutt, Fred Otrman, Ed. Andregg and Fred Scholz.

Those in attendance at the funeral from abroad were Harvey Jenkins and wife, of Dubuque; Will Blake, North McGregor; Ed Blake, Clayton; Frank Cotty, Ray Lucas and Wm. Horne, Dubuque; Mrs. Marcia Hedeman and W. L. Kords and wife, Clayton; and Henry Minger and wife, Turkey River.

Since Arthur's death it has been learned that he was engaged to a Miss Nilda Canfield, a prominent young lady of Breckenridge, Minn., their marriage to take place in February, and who, together with the surviving other relatives, has the heartfelt sympathy of all in this, their hour of bereavement. - Guttenberg Press.