Pillow, Ephraim d. 1898

PILLOW

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/10/2005 at 21:11:49

The Newton (IA) Record Thursday, May 26, 1898
“Gen.” Pillow Killed by Cars

Ephraim Pillow

Ephraim Pillow, an old colored man who had lived in Newton for many years, was killed by the cars near the overhead bridge in the west part of town Sunday night. He went fishing Sunday morning and was on his way home when the fatality occurred. Probably the exact manner of his death will never be known. J. O. Marshall, who lives west of Newton, walked out home Sunday evening, leaving just as the curfew bell rang. When about a mile west of the overhead bridge he came across the “General,” as he was called, lying quietly between the rails. He asked him what he was doing there and the old man replied that he was resting. He further stated that he had been fishing all day. After some little talk Mr. Pillow resumed his homeward journey and that seems to be the last time that he was seen alive. Whether he again laid down to rest or was simply run down by a passing train is not known, but the former would seem more probable, inasmuch as none of the train crews reported having seen him.

As one shoe was off and the sock carried along the track to the east part of town, it is probable that he sat down to take something out of his shoe and fell asleep.

It is said that he has at different times gone to sleep on the railroad track having apparently been very careless in that regard. He carried an old watch, which was found, the hands having stopped at 11:15. As a special went through shortly after that time it may have been this train that did the mischief.

The body was found by a freight crew at an early hour Monday morning and the authorities being informed, an inquest was held, which the main facts as above were deduced.

Deceased has been a prominent figure about Newton for many years, known by everybody as General Pillow, always jolly and good natured, ever ready for a joke and with a witty response to every jest. He leaves a wife and several children. He was born a slave, the property of the famous rebel general Pillow whose name he bore.

He was a hard working man and never failed to please his employer if it was possible. Liquor was his worst enemy, and he would have his periodical drunks, but at such times his good nature never deserted him. He was kind hearted and generous, and always ready to accommodate anyone when it was in his power. The old General will be missed by nearly everybody, and his horrible death was a shock to the whole community.

The burial occurred on Tuesday at 10 o’clock, the funeral service proper being deferred until next Sunday, on account of the absence of Rev. Lewis.

Originally submitted on Fri Sep 20 19:38:07 2002