Pontkinson, Charles died 1898

PONTKINSON, PENTKINSON, DOWNING

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 12/29/2013 at 12:16:14

Elgin Echo, Thursday, 1 December 1898.

A sad accident occurred on the line of the Chicago Great Western near Oelwein about 5 o'clock November 22, in which Charles Pontkinson, of Oelwein, lost his life. He was driving from Westgate to Oelwein, and as he crossed the railroad track was struck by a passenger train and instantly killed. Pontkinson was thrown nearly 50 feet onto an embankment: his skull was crushed. The carriage in which he was seated was demolished, but the horse escaped unhurt. The body was taken to Oelwein on the train which struck the unfortunate man. It is thought that he had his ears covered in such a way that sound of the approaching train could not be heard.

The deceased was a well-known contractor and builder. It is learned that he was engaged to marry Mrs. Downing of Westgate, and that the marriage ceremony was to have occurred on Thanksgiving day; he had been at Westgate to see his fiancée, having visited the county seat, West Union, and purchased a license to wed. The document was found in his pocket.

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NOTE: The second letter of the mans surname could be e or o.

Submitter is not related.

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