Rufus D. Soper, 1870-1932

SOPER, RIDLEY, MCKAY, BLACK

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/4/2009 at 12:22:24

R. D. Soper, 62,
Railroad Man
Fatally Hurt
Bridge Builder Hit by Heavy Timber

R. D. Soper, 92, pioneer resident of Estherville and veteran employee of the Rock Island railroad, was killed yesterday afternoon while supervising the work of men unloading materials for constructing a bridge at a point between Armstrong and Maple Hill.

A heavy timber fell on him, crushing his chest. He died within a few minutes after the accident and the body was brought to Estherville on one of the railroad cars.

The accident occurred when a crew of railroad employees was unloading timbers from a flat car at the site where a bridge is being constructed near Maple Hill. Thinking the car had been emptied. Mr. Soper stepped to the side of it as the men working inside and unable to see over the side of the car, threw a heavy log to the ground.

The timber struck Mr. Soper and knocked him to the ground. At first it was thought his back was broken but examinations later showed his chest was crushed and his left arm broken. He lived only a few minutes.

Men working at the bridge put him in one of the railroad cars and brought him to Estherville as soon as possible.

R. D. Soper was born in 1870 and had lived in Estherville for many years. He was employed as a foreman with the Rock Island railroad.

Surviving are his widow, [Isa Laura Ridley Soper] two daughters, Mrs. Ralph McKay of Estherville, and Mrs. Homer Black of Topeka, Kan., and his son, Horace Soper of Estherville.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 Wednesday afternoon at the home, 1220 North Sixth street. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery.

The body will rest at the Mahlum & Anderson funeral parlors until tomorrow morning when it will be taken to the home.

Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: the Estherville Daily News, Estherville, Iowa, November 15, 1932.