GRAHAM, Ervin F. 1890 - 1907

GRAHAM, BATES

Posted By: Richard K Thompson (email)
Date: 2/19/2011 at 11:47:06

Note from Richard K Thompson: The engraved name on the headstone for this young man at Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield, Iowa is "Ervin F. GRAHAM". For that reason, this obituary transcription is made under that name.

It should be noted, however, that his own obituary refers to his first name three times, twice as "Irvin" and a third time as "Irwin". The 1935 obituary for his mother, (Sarah) Willia Ann BATES GRAHAM, refers to him as "Ervine."

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Fairfield Journal
Fairfield, Iowa
May 9, 1907 Pg. 2 Col. 2

DIED FROM HIS INJURY

Irvin GRAHAM, Hurt While Attempting to Assist Firemen, Died Today.

Ond of the saddest deaths the city of Fairfield has been called upon to mourn recently is that of Irvin GRAHAM, the sixteen-year-old son of Mrs. Milton GRAHAM, who passed away this morning at four o'clock after twenty hours of most intense suffering.

Stricken down in the bloom of youth when life held much of promise for him, it is a source of comfort to his widowed mother and to his sisters and brothers to know that a little more than a week ago this young man had responded to the gospel call as extended by "Billy" Sunday and with a number of his youthful companions had accepted Christ as his Savior. When the great Sunday meetings closed here last Sunday night, little did anyone think that death was so close to this young man. "Billy" Sunday, as he grasped the lad's hand for the last night, could not see the brink of the grave which was so near him.

Yesterday morning when the alarm of fire was sounded the young man happened to be near the New Chicago hose station and immediately ran to assist in getting the cart out and started to the fire. In some way which on one (sic) is able to account for, the lad was caught between the wheel of the cart and the end of a wagon, which was waiting to take it to the scene of the fire, and his back and stomach crushed. He was able to walk home, two blocks away, where he suffered most intense pain until death came.

Irwin was the youngest son of Mrs. Milton GRAHAM and leaves beside his mother two brothers and two sisters to mourn his untimely death.

The funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock, Saturday afternoon, from the home.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes. I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.

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Added by Admin, November 2023 --

"Jefferson County Republican"
Friday, May 10, 1907
Page 4, Columns 3 and 4

A burning flue at Mrs. Sarah Allender's Wednesday morning caused a fire alarm to be turned in. Irvin GRAHAM who happened to be near the New Chicago hose station, ran in to help pull the cart out, and in some way was caught between the wheel of the cart and a wagon that was being backed up to take the cart to the fire, and his stomach and back crushed causing internal injuries which resulted in his death about 3 o'clock Thursday morning. He walked home after the incident but soon became very sick and suffered intensely until relieved by death. He was the youngest son of the late comrade Milton GRAHAM and wife and was 16 years of age. He leaves a mother, two sisters and two brothers to mourn his death. He took his stand for Christ during the Sunday meetings and told his mother he was ready to go. The funeral will be held at the home tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock.

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, May 15, 1907
Page 6, Column 5

Met Accidental Death.

Ervin F. GRAHAM, a young man of seventeen, met with a fatal accident in this city Wednesday morning. He was near the C., B. & Q. hose house when an alarm of fire was sounded, and, in company with another young man, ran to the building to aid in getting out the hose cart. They were unable to handle the heavy cart, weighing perhaps 1,500 pounds, and young GRAHAM was caught between it and the wagon which was waiting at the curb to receive it and severly crushed about the bowels. It was not thought at the time that he was dangerously injured, but he continued to show symptoms of more serious injury during the day and died about 4 o'clock the next morning from internal hemorrhage. The young man was a son of Mrs. Milton GRAHAM. He was born in this city October 24th, 1890, and his entire life was spent here. He was a popular fellow with his comrades and they will sorrow at his death. Much sympathy will be extended the widowed mother in her affliction. Sympathetic friends presented her with a purse of $115 Monday, with which to defray the expenses of the funeral. The body was buried Saturday afternoon. Rev. Thos. Osborn conducted the funeral services. The young man was a convert at the Sunday meetings and expected soon to join the Methodist Episcopal church.

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"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, May 15, 1907
Page 7, Column 4

A FEARFUL ACCIDENT.

Irvin GRAHAM Dies As Result of Injuries Received at New Chicago Hose House Wednesday.

Last Wednesday morning the fire bell rang, summoning the fire boys to the northeastern part of the city, where the Allender home was on fire, which, however, proved to be so slight that the services of the company were not needed. At the first tap of the bell, by-standers in New Chicago sprang for the hose house ready to assist in getting the hose cart out. Among them was Irvin GRAHAM, and in drawing the cart from the house, control of it was lost for a moment in coming down an incline, and it collided with a dray wagon which was standing ready to attach it and start for the fire. In the collision young GRAHAM was caught and crushed. At the time of the accident he appeared not to realize that he was very much hurt and after being extricated he went on his way and performed an errand for his mother, and then went home. Soon after arriving home he complained of being very sick and told his people what had happened to him. Medical aid was summoned and all done that was possible for his relief. After a night of intense suffering he passed away Thursday morning, May 9th.

Funeral services were conducted from the home Saturday afternoon and interment made in Evergreen cemetery. There was a large attendance of sympathizing friends and the wealth of flowers were mute testimonials of love and affection. Rev. Thos. Osborn preached an eloquent sermon and read the following facts concerning deceased which closed with very appropriate quotations.

"Irvin Findley GRAHAM, the youngest child and son of Milton and Willia A. GRAHAM, was born in Fairfield, Iowa, October 24, 1890. He attended the public schools in Fairfield until fourteen years of age. He was converted in the meetings at the Tabernacle but a few days ago, being the first of the converts to be called home. Had we picked the one most likely to go first I am sure we would not have selected a sixteen-year-old lad, but how true is the word of Jesus: "In such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh."

"'Tis the wink of an eye,
'Tis the draught of a breath
From the blossom of health
To the paleness of death;
From the gilded saloon
To the bier and the shroud--
O why should the spirit of mortal be proud?"

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

RKT note: This young man was born October 24, 1890 and died May 9, 1907. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, SDiv2.028.