Frank Sikes 1866-1913

SIKES, SYKES

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/29/2011 at 00:08:42

Franklin Sikes Killed
Well Known Character Instantly Killed Last Friday
Crushed by a Motor Car
Was Returning Home From Work When the Crew Met No. 463 on the Long Bridge
Frank Sikes, aged 47 years, was instantly killed Friday afternoon about 5:30 o’clock by being buried underneath a railroad motor car near the west approach of the long trestle over the Des Moines river in the west part of the Rock Island yards in this city. He and companions were coming to their homes in this city after the day’s work on the section and were riding on their hand car, which is driven by a motor. As they came onto the long trestle above mentioned the members of the party saw that they could not get across in time to avoid a collision with No. 463, and ran the car back off the bridge, derailing it a short distance west of the approach. There is a very steep embankment at this point, and the stories told by those on the ground are conflicting as to just what happened. One of the witnesses to the accident says that he and Mr. Sikes were lifting the car from the track when the engine of No. 463 struck a corner of the vehicle, knocking it and Sikes to the foot of the embankment and pinning him underneath. Another report, and the most plausible one, has it that the car had been entirely cleared of the tract and was being held by the men on the incline, but that in some manner Sikes released his hold and fell to the bottom, the car following and catching him.

It required the efforts of several men to lift the car from the unfortunate man and the spark of life had fled when he was released. Death was doubtless instantaneous, the heavy car having crushed his chest and otherwise bruised him.

The remains were brought to the Mahlum and Anderson undertaking parlors and later taken to the home of his mother, on south Eighth street. Funeral services were conducted from the Catholic church Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock by Rev. J. G. Murtagh, after which interment was made in the Catholic cemetery.

Deceased had long been a resident of this city, and was a sober, industrious citizen. He leaves, besides his step-mother, a number of relatives and friends to mourn his untimely demise. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, December 9, 1913)

Mrs. Geo. Sykes and family desire through the columns of The Democrat to extend thanks to those who so kindly assisted them in their bereavement. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, December 9, 1913)

Frank Sykes Killed
Pushed Down the Embankment at the West End of Rock Island Bridge
An Employee of C.R.I. & P. RY.
Accident Happened Just After Dark on Friday Last During the Heavy Mist
Frank Sikes, a resident of this city since boyhood, was killed last Friday evening at the west of the Rock Island railway bridge that crosses the Des Moines river just north of the dam.

Frank has been employed by the Rock Island company for many years in the capacity of section man. He and the section foreman, Harry Bauman, had been out all day working on the tracks and had started in just before dark. There was a heavy fog and it was getting dark. The west bound train that leaves here at five o’clock had not gone out, being a little late that evening. Mr. Bauman says he listened for the train at the big curve west of town and again at the Ridley crossing at the west end of the bridge. Not hearing the train and not seeing any light from the head light on the engine, he concluded they could make the bridge. They were on a gas motor car and it would not take long to cross the bridge. Just as they got out about two rail lengths on the bridge they saw the passenger train coming so they got off and pushed the car back to the end of the bridge. The car was turned about lengthwise to the track.

The grade here is very narrow and it would be hard to keep the car on the grade. Mr. Bauman says Mr. Sikes did not have hold of the car when the engine struck it and he does not know how Frank got down the bank or how the car got on top of him. It looks as though he had in some manner got in front of the car and tried to hold it back and it had overpowered him and caused him to be pushed down the grade until he struck the tree and this caused the car to be pushed upon him. Help was summoned at once and Dr. Birney being the first to arrive pronounced him dead and he was at once removed to the undertakers. The train crew knew nothing of the affair and did not know they had struck anything.

Frank has lived here for many years with his mother and has always been her comfort and support in her old age. He was a hard working man and was always ready and willing to turn in his hard earnings to keep up the home.

Coroner Dr. M. E. Wilson held an inquest and the jury brought in a verdict of accidental death.

The funeral services were held at the home on Sunday morning and the remains were laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery south of the city, Rev. Father Murtagh officiating. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, December 10, 1913)