WORKMAN, John William Sr. 1819 - 1890

WORKMAN, KERR, MCCARTY, MERCHANT, ABRAHAM

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:22:49

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, October 15, 1890
Page 3, Columns 3 and 4

Run Down by a Train.

John WORKMAN of this city, a man with a wide acquaintance throughout Jefferson county, was run down and killed by a west bound freight train in the C., B. & Q. yards at Ottumwa Friday evening about 7:30 o'clock (note: in Wapello Co., IA). In company with some friends from this county he had gone to that city to visit the coal palace. Probably half an hour before he met his death he was found by C. R. WORKMAN of Round Prairie, a nephew, and was under the influence of liquor. The latter feared that he might get into trouble, and took him into the depot and secured a seat for him. Shortly before No. 4 pulled in the nephew was called away from the station for a few moments, and during his absence the elder man wandered away and could not be found. He had probably walked down the C., B. & Q. track, through the yards, a dangerous place for any man at that hour in the evening, and was killed near the Baker House. The engineer of the train says he saw the unfortunate man step on the track a short distance ahead of the engine. He promptly sounded the danger signal, but the man paid no attention to it, and before the train could be stopped the engine was upon him. The wheels passed over his legs crushing and mangling them in a frightful manner, and death was almost instantaneous. The remains were taken in charge by the police and were removed to the undertaker's, where they were identified shortly afterward. Friends of the dead man in this city promptly responded to the telegram notifying them of the accident, and the body was given into their care by the authorities at Ottumwa and brought to this city Saturday afternoon. It is said that no blame is attached to the railroad company for the unfortunate occurrence, and it is probable that no one but the trainmen saw the accident occur.

John WORKMAN was in the seventy-second year of his age. He was a native of Kentucky, but his parents removed to Sangamon county, Ill., when he was a child and he grew to manhood there. He removed to Jefferson county in 1840, and was married the same year to Amanda J. KERR, who died in 1846. He was again married, to Melissa KERR, in 1847, and she died in this county two or three years ago (sic - in 1889). Mr. WORKMAN was the father of nine children, two by the first marriage, and of these six are now living as follows: Mrs. David McCARTY and Mrs. Frank McCARTY in this county; W. A. WORKMAN, Tekama, Neb.; John WORKMAN, in Wyoming; E. M. WORKMAN in Marion county; George WORKMAN in Fremont county. Three of them were present at their father's funeral. For many years deceased was an extensive farmer in Buchanan township, where he owned a fine tract of land. Later he engaged in stock buying and transacted a large amount of business. In his later ventures, however, he proved unfortunate, and of late years he had not been engaged in business of any kind. He made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Frank McCARTY, in this city. The funeral occurred Sabbath afternoon, Rev. E. L. Schreiner conducting the services. The remains were taken to the Richwoods cemetery for interment.

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"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, October 15, 1890
Page 4, Column 4

CRUSHED BENEATH THE CARS.
Death of John WORKMAN on the Railroad Track in Ottumwa.

We are called upon to record another frightful accident this week. John WORKMAN, one of the oldest citizens of Jefferson county, a man known to almost everyone living in the central part of the county, was run over by the cars in Ottumwa on Friday evening, October 10, and instantly killed.

He had gone from here to Ottumwa that morning. During the forenoon he had been around the town in company with his cousin, Mr. C. R. WORKMAN, of Round Prairie township. They took dinner together at a restaurant, and both visited the Coal Palace in the afternoon. About half past three John WORKMAN left the Palace, but C. R. saw him again at six and was with him until 6:30. He had decided to come home on No. 4 and C. R. was going to see him safely on the train before he left him, his own intention being to stay and attend a meeting of the Odd Fellows ledge that night. At 6:30 C. R. left him standing at the door of the depot for a moment while he went over to the Palace to get a view of it when it was lit up. He was not gone to exceed five minutes, but when he returned John was not where he left him, and he could not find him. A general search was made by C. R. and others but nothing could be seen of the missing man. Failing to find him, C. R. supposed he was all right any way, and went to the lodge meeting.

It would appear that as soon as C. R. left him to go to the Palace, John went down the railroad track three or four blocks, though what took him there no one knows. The accident occurred just opposite the electric light power house about seven o'clock. He was struck by a freight train on the C., R. I., & P. The engine and six or seven cars passed over him, cutting him in two at the hips and badly mangling the legs. The manner in which the body was found would indicate that he had tried to get off the track and had fallen across it, with is body on the outside. The engineer saw him, reversed his engine, and blew his whistle in warning, but the distance was short and he could not stop.

The body was identified by Peyton Wilson, who telegraphed the news to Neal Jones of this city, and by him the relatives were infored (sic). C. R. WORKMAN learned of the accident about nine o'clock, and in company with Frank McCARTY, a son-in-law of the dead man, brought the body home at noon the next day.

The funeral occurred at the house of Mr. McCARTY Sunday afternoon at one o'clock, the services being conducted by Rev. Schriner, of the Methodist church. The body was interred in the Richwood's cemetery.

John S. WORKMAN (sic - John W.) was born in Kentucky, July 30, 1819. He came to Sangamon county, Ill., in 1821; and to Jefferson county in the fall of 1840, and purchased a claim of Wm. Smith and built a cabin. It will thus be seen that he was one of our oldest residents. He was married to Miss Amanda J. KERR in 1840, she dying in 1846. Mr. WORKMAN was married a second time, in 1847, to Melissa D. M. KERR. By his first wife Mr. WORKMAN had two children, William A., and Sarah A. McCARTY, both of whom are living. By his last wife, who died within the last two years, he had nine children, two of whom died in infancy. The others are James M., Kizzie A., (Mrs. John ABRAHAM), Nettie J. MERCHANT, John C., Edward M., Eleanor and George B. Of these, all are living but James M., Mrs. MERCHANT, and Mrs. ABRAHAM.

Mr. WORKMAN was a kind hearted and generous man. He had a great many friends, and his sad death is lamented by all.

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