Campbell, Clarence C. – d. 1904

CAMPBELL, DEAKIN

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:29

Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer received a message from Colfax Wednesday afternoon, stating that Clarence Campbell, son of John Campbell, a conductor on the Interurban, had been killed by going through a bridge with a traction engine. He in company with two other boys were crossing a bridge on the engine when the bridge gave away, the engine falling on the boys killing all three, as we have been informed. Mrs. Shaffer left immediately to be with Mrs. Campbell, who suffered a severe nervous shock when apprised of the accident.
Source: The Altoona (IA) Herald; July 7, 1904

Clarence Campbell, whose death resulted from the Watt Lake accident last Wednesday, was aged 17 years and 8 moths. He was a native of Vandalia, Jasper county, and when his father, who is a conductor of the Interurban railroad, came here over a year and half ago, he came with his parents. He was a member of the M.E. church and his funeral services were from the home Thursday afternoon conducted by Rev. A. E. Griffith, who came from Council Bluffs for the purpose – having taken Clarence into the church. He was much affected and spoke words of consolation and tender sympathy for the bereaved.
The sympathy of Mr. Campbell’s fellow workmen was freely expressed in the beautiful floral offering that adorned the casket, “Gates Ajar.” The grandparents Deakin sent a pillow of carnations, the Interurban railway employees, Mr. Keefe and many others sent flowers, and Messrs. Deakin, brothers of Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Welker and Mr. Draper, and many other friends from Des Moines, Mitchellville, Altoona and Bondurant came to mingle their tears with those of the bereaved ones.
The interment was at the Vandalia cemetery yesterday, the family and friends making their sorrowful journey in carriages.
Source: The Colfax (IA) Clipper; Saturday, July 9, 1904, page 1

Later reports concerning the death of Clarence Campbell and two other boys by going through a bridge with a traction engine at Colfax last Wednesday show that Campbell was the only one killed. An item in last week’s Herald stated that three boys were killed but there was only one killed and the other two badly injured.
Source: The Altoona (IA) Herald; July 14, 1904