Chauncy J. Fox 1862-1902

FOX, COON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 2/21/2011 at 18:55:13

Death of Chauncy Fox
Pulls the C.R.I. & P. Passenger to Sioux Falls Monday Morning and is Brought Back in a Casket
The saddest death we have been called upon to chronicle for some time past is that of Engineer Chauncy E. Fox, who died at Sioux Falls at five o’clock Monday afternoon. When he arose in the morning feeling as well as usual and made his run to Sioux Falls on the C.R.I. & P. day passenger, leaving here at 7:20 a.m., little did he think it would be his last run over the road. He attended strictly to his work at the throttle and did not complain of not feeling well until the train left Shindlar, the first station this side of Sioux Falls. Soon after they left that point he told W. E. Post, who was firing the engine that he was sick. Mr. Post then noticed that he was somewhat pale and stepped over and assisted him in running the engine until they arrived in Sioux Falls. He was then carried from his engine into one of the passenger coaches and a doctor summoned. He talked freely to the boys who were in the car until the doctor arrived. After an examination his ailment was pronounced apoplexy, and upon the advice of the physician an ambulance was sent for to convey him to the hospital. Before it arrived he raised himself up a little and said, “Boys, I am all in.” Those were the last words spoken, as a moment later his muscles seemed contracted and his jaws became set. He was then taken to the hospital and soon after became unconscious and died at five o’clock.

His family at this place was informed and Mrs. Fox and her father, Mr. Coon, departed on the afternoon passenger for Ellsworth and a special run from there over to Sioux Falls to accommodate them, but they did not arrive until after he had passed away. The remains were brought to this city on the through freight Tuesday morning and the funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at the house.

Deceased was forty years of age at the time of his death and had been an employee of the B.C.R.&N. R’y Co. for twenty-two years, having been in the engine service for twenty years and had pulled the Sioux Falls passenger for twelve straight years. He was one of the oldest engineers on this division. He was very popular with the railroad men and was one of the highly respected citizens of this city and will be greatly missed by his family and associates.

He was a member of the brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, in which he carried a $3,000 live insurance policy. The many friends of the bereaved family extend their heartfelt sympathy in their hours of profound sorrow. A wife and two children are left to mourn his sudden demise. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, October 15, 1902)

Death of Chauncy Fox
Chauncy Fox one of the oldest of the engineers of the Rock Island in this city and one of the best known citizens of Estherville died at Sioux Falls Monday afternoon as the result of a stroke of apoplexy. Mr. Fox was in his usual good spirits in the morning and went out on his run as usual. Nothing was noted as to his health until the run had been nearly completed when he suddenly became faint and when the train arrived in Sioux Falls he was taken to the hospital where he passed away. He was brought back to this city Tuesday.

Chauncy J. Fox was born at Altoona, Pennsylvania in 1862. In 1887 he was united in marriage to Ella Coon. He had been in the employ of the B.C.R. & N. railway for about twenty years and was one of the company’s most trusted employees. He ranked among the oldest residents of the city and was a member of the M.E. church. The funeral will be held from the residence Thursday afternoon. (Emmet County Republican, Estherville, IA, October 16, 1902)

Funeral of Chauncy Fox
The funeral of Engineer Chauncy Fox was held from the Methodist church Thursday afternoon. The day was blessed with ideal autumn weather, and the many friends of the beloved deceased had naught to mar their happiness except the thought of the great loss they had so recently sustained. The hour of service at the church was set at two but soon after one o’clock the church commenced to fill up and before two standing room could not be had. Many waited on the outside till the services were finished that they might have one more opportunity of seeing the face of one they had known so well and thought so much of. Rev. Ginn preached the sermon and the good pastor put his whole soul and spirit into his words and before the services were over there were but few in the church but had cause to wipe away the tears that could not be kept back.

Interment took place in Oak Hill cemetery. Engineers Geo. Godden, P. P. Sullivan, Tom Brand, Joe Carberry, Wm. McArdle and H. A. Dunham acted as pall bearers.

L. A. Fox, a brother of the deceased was here from Wisconsin to attend the funeral. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, October 22, 1902)