Lewis S. "Lew" Peterson 1876-1902

PETERSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/21/2011 at 23:00:21

Brakeman Loses Life
Lewis Peterson Killed While Coupling Cars at Superior Saturday [November 8, 1902] Morning
Lewis Peterson, a brakeman on the C.R.I. & P., met with a fatal accident at Superior Saturday morning, while in the act of coupling cars. He was on a west bound freight in charge of Conductor Butcher and Engineer Mahlum, and while switching cars at Superior was caught between the bumpers and crushed so badly that he died in forty-five minutes after being removed to the depot. No one knows how the accident happened but the supposition is that he did not make the coupling the first time the cars came back. He gave the engineer a signal to go ahead a few feet, and after the train had stopped he stepped in and leaned over the bumper to adjust the handle of the patent brake which was on the other side of the car. It is a little down grade at that point and the supposition is that the hind cars came down and caught him between the bumpers. He screamed for help and Brakeman Frizzel, who was near, rushed to his assistance. The cars were pulled ahead and he was picked up and carried into the depot. His hip was crushed and he was injured internally. Dr. Bare, of that place, was called and rendered medical assistance and a special train was run from this city to convey the unfortunate man’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Peterson, and Dr. Anderson to that place but he died before they arrived. He was conscious up to the last and talked freely to those about him, but said nothing as to how the accident occurred. It was a sad accident and one that is deeply deplored by his many friends in this community. Deceased had been a resident of Estherville for the past twenty years and had been in the employ of the company something over a year and was considered a very careful and painstaking employee. He was twenty-six years of age at the time of his death. Funeral services were held at the Catholic church in this city at ten o’clock Tuesday morning and the remains interred in the Catholic cemetery south of town. The pall bearers were Geo. Howe, Lee Strong, George Rosenfrans, Arthur Grier, Robert Amsted and Chas. Gensley, all members of the B. of R.T. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, November 12, 1902)

Lew Peterson Killed
Meets Fatal Accident While Switching at Superior
Last Saturday forenoon while engaged in switching at Superior on his trip out, Lew Peterson met with an accident which caused his death a little over an hour later. He was attempting to make a coupling when the cars came back on him and caught him between the bumpers and crushed him beyond hope of recovery. Medial aid was immediately summoned and also a special from Estherville carrying Mr. and Mrs. L. Peterson, father and mother of the deceased, Clem Peterson, brother of the deceased, Dr. Anderson and the railway officials of this place. The special left here a little while after to eleven, but it failed to arrive at Superior before the injured man expired. He was conscious till within a few minutes of his death and suffered intensely.

The deceased was well known in Estherville, having made this place his home since a small boy. He was a quiet young man, only twenty-six year of age and was always industrious.

The remains were brought to Estherville on the special at one o’clock Saturday and funeral services were held from the Catholic church Tuesday forenoon. The altar was beautifully decorated with flowers brought there by his many friends who came to pay their last respects to the one who was so suddenly taken from them. Father Dailey made a very impression address and called attention to the fact that while death is pained and sorrowed us, still it was not so much to be dreaded as it was to live and not be ready to die. Live so that death has no sting or the grave no victory.

The deceased leaves a father and mother and five brothers and one sister. All were present at the funeral excepting Frank who had just reached California and was unable to reach home in time. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, November 12, 1902)

Life Was Crushed Out
Louis Peterson Meets With a Sudden and Terrible Death Saturday
He was caught between a box car while making a coupling at Superior and so badly injured that he died in about an hour.

Louis Peterson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Peterson, and a valued employee of the Rock Island company, met a sudden and terrible death at Superior last Saturday morning while in the discharge of his duty. While coupling cars he was caught in the abdomen between the iron buffers of a couple of box cars and so horribly injured that he died in about an hour after the accident.

Mr. Peterson left here Saturday morning at nine o’clock on an extra freight, west bound, pulled by engine No. 1210, the train being in charge of Conductor W. C. Butcher. On arrival at Superior they pulled in on the main line and cutting the train in two, backed down on the house track to pick up three box cars standing there. The train was backed down against the three cars, but the coupling failed to make, the three cars being bumped back several feet the last car of the train was fitted up with a Jenney coupler and Mr. Peterson stepped back of it to adjust the left lever. He was through the opening and then started to return to the other side to give the signal to back up again. In the meantime the three cars which had been bumped back had started toward the train, the grade being in that direction. Whether Mr. Peterson lost sight of this fact, or whether his clothing got caught in some manner is not known, but at any rate he was caught between the iron buffers, one striking him in the back and the other in the abdomen. F. Frizzell, the head brakeman, heard his cry, and quickly gave the signal to go ahead. The train crew ran back as quickly as possible and found him horribly injured.

Dr. Bare of Superior was quickly summoned and at the same time an account of the accident was telegraphed here. Mr. Peterson was at once notified of the accident, and when a second message was received that he was dangerously injured Mrs. Peterson was also notified. An engine and two way cars were at once run up to the depot and as soon as Mr. and Mrs. Peterson were ready, they were hurried to the scene of the accident, together with Dr. Anderson and officials. But they had arrived too late, for the unfortunate young man had breathed his last before they arrived.

Mr. Peterson was conscious almost up to the last moment, although the mental shock had been so great that he did not fully realize his condition. He was asked several times by Dr. Bare how the accident happened, but each time answered: “I do not know.” He conversed very little and gradually sank away, medical skill and tender hands availing nothing. Soon after the arrival of the parents from Estherville, the return was made to this city, arriving here shortly after 12:30.

The sad accident is deeply deplored by all the railroad from the officials down. His work had always been most satisfactory and he was held in the highest esteem by his superiors. With all he was extremely popular with all the railroad boys. He was of a genial, sunny disposition, making warm friends with all with whom he came in contact. An unkind word was never spoken of Louis Peterson, and when the news of the frightful accident was received here there was many a heart that ached with genuine sorrow.

Louis S. Peterson was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Peterson. He was born in Chicago January 5, 1876, coming to Estherville with his parents twenty years ago last June. He thus grew to manhood here and was educated in the public schools of this city. Nearly four years ago he entered the employ of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway company, filling various positions about the depot for a couple of years, when he became identified with the train service, and where he had been a valued and trusted employee for a year and a half. It made no difference where he was found, he always was found true to his trust, and he always enjoyed the fullest confidence and esteem of those with whom he worked.

The funeral was held from the Catholic church Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock, conducted by Rev. Father Daily, and was very largely attended. The funeral arrangements were made and carried out by the B. of R. T., of which organization the deceased was an honored member. The pallbearers were from among his associates in the railroad world. The interment was in the Catholic cemetery. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, November 13, 1902)