Charles Alex Torrence 1877-1938

TORRENCE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/2/2011 at 18:23:23

C. A. Torrence Accidentally Killed Sunday
The community was shocked Sunday by the sudden death of Charles A. Torrence [Charles Alex Torrence], 64 [dob April 15 1877], a long time employee of the Rock Island Railway.

Mr. Torrence had been on his regular duties Sunday as caretaker of the roundhouse offices and the passenger cars. He apparently was in good health when last seen, which was about fifteen minutes to twelve according to the testimony at the inquest.

Mr. Torrence told another employee about 11:45 in the morning to get a certain engine ready to go out. Later he was seen in offices putting on his sheep-lined coat and appeared to be in haste as he went out. This was the last time he was seen alive.

At about 3:30 Tom Brown opened the doors to stall No. 23 to the round house. As he did so he saw feet and legs sticking out of the cinder pit. He saw at once it was his friend Torrence. Brown called George Kramer to assist him and the two were unable to get Torrence out of the pit. They then called Tom Brandt, who helped them.

Dr. Clark was called, examined Mr. Torrence and ordered the body taken to the coroner, Fred Sternborg.

An inquest was held Monday afternoon at 1:30. Evidence was produced in the case but no light could be thrown on the reason for his death.

The jury finding indicated Torrence’s death was caused either by heart failure or that he accidentally fell into the pit. Dr. Clark, called as a witness, said Torrence was probably dead when he fell into the pit. There was about a foot of water in the pit at the time but there was indication of water in his lungs.

There were some bruises on Torrence’s head but Dr. Clark said he hardly thought they were sufficient to cause death.

The evidence showed that about ten days before Torrence had complained of a pain under his heart, otherwise seeming to be in perfect health. He was well liked by all the men and there was no indication of foul play in the case.

The evidence indicates that Torrence fell in the pit about 12 o’clock, as his dinner pail was untouched where he left it. Witnesses said even had they looked for him they would hardly have looked at this part of the roundhouse or in the pit.

Funeral services were held yesterday at 1:30 at the residence and at 2 p.m. at the Baptist church, Rev. J. Albert Riggs officiating. Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, February 3, 1938)

Attends Funeral Here
L. P. Stillman of Dolliver was in the city Wednesday afternoon attending the funeral services of Clarence Torrence. Mr. Torrence was a member of the Emmetsburg camp of the Spanish American war veterans. He enlisted from Minnesota at the time of the war but joined the camp at Emmetsburg when he came here to reside. Mr. Stillman was a member of the same camp. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, February 3, 1938)

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Torrence and daughter, Carolyn Dell, of Scranton, spent the weekend in Estherville visiting at the home of Mr. Torrence’s mother, Mrs. C. A. Torrence. Mr. Torrence is high school coach at Scranton. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, February 17, 1938)