JAMES, Emery Newton 1875 - 1909

JAMES, RASMUS, BEAN, HARDESTY, VAN OSDEL

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/4/2025 at 15:37:25

"The Fairfield Daily Journal"
Wednesday, March 31, 1909
Page 3, Column 2

ENGINE KILLS EMERY JAMES
Young Man Well Known Here Run Down in WAshingnon (sic) Freight Yards.

Emery JAMES, a Rock Island brakeman, formerly of this city met a horrible death at Washington this morning. He was run down by a switch engine at 6:25 and instantly killed.

JAMES, who resides at Eldon was with his crew at the Washington freight yards this morning and had just signeled (sic) for the switch engine to back up, when he caught his foot in a crossing frog and was unable to extricate it before the engine struck him. His body was ground to pieces under the wheels.

Mr. JAMES was the son of Mrs. Marcia JAMES who resides on east Briggs street and was born and raised in Fairfield. He leaves a wife and four children. Mrs. JAMES was Miss Gertrude RASMUS of this city.

Three brothers Charles, Joseph and William also survive. Charles JAMES goes to Washington this evening to take charge of the remains.

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"The Fairfield Daily Journal"
Thursday, April 1, 1909
Page 2, Column 3

JAMES FUNERAL HELD TODAY

The funeral of Emery N. JAMES who was killed by a switch engine in Washington yesterday morning was held this afternoon at 3:30 o'clock at the home of his mother Mrs. Marcia JAMES on East Briggs street. Rev. G. W. Burch of the Christian church conducted the last services. The remains were brought to this city by a special train from Washington and a large number of friends and brother trainmen accompanied the body.

The Washington Journal gives the following account of the incident.:

A few minutes after bidding his wife and children goodbye to begin his day's work as a switchman in the local Rock Island yards, E. N. JAMES, of this city, met instant death this morning in the local switchyards. He was instantly killed at about 6:30 o'clock, an engine and three cars passing over his body. Just how the accident occured is a matter of conjecture, as no one witnessed his tragic death. The accident occured at the west of the yards near the switch on the end of the team track. From indications it seems that after Mr. JAMES had given the engine crew the signal to back up, he stepped in front of the car to adjust the coupling, when his foot was caught in the frog, or guard rail, and he was thrown in front of the oncoming train. The switching crew was unaware of the sad misfortune until one of their number saw the lifeless form lying between the tracks ahead of them, just as they were ready to pull down to the west end of the track. The body was badly mutilated, the top and back of the head being crushed. The manner in which he was thrown down allowed his left arm to lie across the track, and this member was severed above the elbow. The foot which was caught, was mashed fearfully. Other portions of his body, although not so badly mangled, where covered with severe bruises. The remains were carried into the baggage room at the depot, and held there until the arrival of Coroner Dr. Geo. Hay and Drs. E. R. Jenkins and C. W. McLaughlin who were summoned immediately after the accident, although nothing could be done, as life was snuffed out instantly. After a hurried examination the remains were removed to the Wilber Miller undertaking parlors, where they were arranged for burial. The switching train was in charge of Conductor G. W. Payne. J. C. Nelson and C. S. Stevenson were engineer and fireman respectively.

E. N. JAMES was born at Fairfield Iowa, on July 18, 1876 (sic - 1875), and was therefore thirty-three years of age. On July 14, 1898, the deceased was married to Miss Gertrude RASMUS, at Fairfield. Four children were born to the union, all of who, with their mother survive the deceased. The children are Carl, aged nine; Fred, aged eight; Fay, aged six, and Dora, aged one. The deceased is also survived by his mother, Mrs. M. F JAMES, of Fairfield, Iowa, three brothers are Joe, on Monmouth, Ill., William, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Charles of Salina Iowa. The sisters are Mrs. J. C. BEAN, of Monmouth, Ill., Mrs. F. J. HARDESTY, of Robstown, Texas,and Mrs. Wm. VAN OSDEL, of Oklahoma. The deceased had been employed as a brakeman on the Rock Island for several years. He had been making this city his home since last October, when he and his family moved here from Eldon where they had resided for about seven years. The deceased was a hard worker, and was well liked by all with whom he came in contact. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen and also of the Eldon I. O. O. F. lodge.

Word of the sad and untimely death has been sent to the brothers and sisters of the deceased. The mother, Mrs. M. F. JAMES, of Fairfield, arrived last evening.

A short funeral service will be held from the JAMES home, on North Fourth Ave., Thursday morning, after which the body will be taken to Fairfield on the Rock Island passenger No. 1, where the body will be interred. The Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen will have charge of the service at this place and the members of the local I. O. O. F. lodge will attend in a body.

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"The Fairfield Daily Journal"
Friday, April 2, 1909
Page 2, Column 3

JAMES INQUEST HELD WEDNESDAY

The Washington Journal contains the following concerning the inquest over the remains of Emery JAMES who was killed in the switch yards of the C. R. I. & P. Ry., Wednesday:

The inquest over the body of the late E. N. JAMES, who was instantly killed Wednesday morning in the local Rock Island yards, was held at the office of the Coroner Dr. Geo. Hay at 7 oclock last evening. The first witnesses called were G. W. Payne, J. C. Nelson and C. S. Stevenson, conductor, engineer and fireman, respectively, of the local switching crew, of which the deceased was a member. After they had finished the stating of facts in the case as they knew them Link Hall, Chas. Nelson, W. H. Fulton and James Glasgow stated how and where the body was fuond. The statements of the second witnesses corroborated those of the first witnesses. The coroner's jury composed of William Fulton, S. A. Coffman, and J. W. Teeter. The verdict as returned reads as follows:

We do find that said deceased came to his death about 6:30 a.m. on the 31st day of March, 1909, in the Rock Island yards in the city of Washington, Washington county Iowa, while in the discharges of his duties as a switchman; and that the manner of his death was as follows:

That, the said deceased while attempting to open the knuckle on the automatic coupler on the east end of a car of the moving train caught his left heel and shoe in the west end of the aperture between the guard rail and the main rail of the switch track about twenty-four feet west of the switch leading to the team track. At the time of said accident the train was backing toward the east and moving slowly towards him at the time his foot was caught, as aforesaid, and he was struck by said car thus backing towards him, and said car, together with others and the engine attached passed over the body causing instant death.

In testimony whereof, the said Jurors have hereunto set their hands this 31st day of March, 1909.

William Fulton,
S. A. Coffman,
J. W. Teeter,
Jurors.

E. N. JAMES was a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen and, as is the custom when a death occurs, the widow, Mrs. E. N. JAMES is the beneficiary of the insurance which the deceased had in this order. The amount of which the bereaved wife will receive is $1,350. The ending of so useful a life as that of the deceased will bring hardship to the survivors, a wife and four children, who certainly have the sincerest sympathy of their many friends in this city and several other places where the deceased was as well known and respected as in Washington. The amount of insurance will in a measure help them in their immediate needs. The deceased carried no other insurance. Ben Engard, secretary of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen at Eldon, was in the city yesterday on business in regard to the payment of the insurance.

The funeral services were held this afternoon at 1 o'clock from the JAMES home on North Fourth avenue. The funeral was to have been held tomorrow morning, as stated in last evening's Journal, but it was decided to hold it this afternoon. After a short service the body was taken to Fairfield on a special train. The Fairfield I. O. O. F. lodge had charge of the services held after the arrival of the remains in that city which were interred at 3:30 o'clock. The pall bearers were composed of members of the local I. O. O. F. lodge, escorted by members of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. The remains were accompanied to Fairfield by the relatives and friends of the deceased. Those from a distance at the funeral were Mrs. M. F. JAMES, of Fairfield, mother, and Chas. JAMES of Salina, Iowa, brother of the deceased; and J. R. RASMUS, of Fairfield, C. A. Moore, Fred Quigley, Ben Engart, M. E. Sconce, Harry Davis, Messrs. and Mmes. J. W. Bates and Wm. Gaston, of Eldon.

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"The Fairfield Daily Journal"
Friday, April 2, 1909
Page 4, Column 2

: : PERSONALS : :

... --Joe JAMES of Monmouth, Ill,. arrived yesterday to attend the funeral of his brother, Emery JAMES(.) ...

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"Jefferson County Republican"
Friday, April 2, 1909
Page 5, Column 2

SAD ACCIDENT.

Emery N. JAMES, son of Mrs. M. F. JAMES of this city, was instantly killed at Washington Wednesday morning and the remains were brought to this city yesterday afternoon. Short funeral services were held at the home of his mother on East Briggs street at 3:30, conducted by Rev. G. W. Burch.

Dicesed was born July 18, 1876 (sic - 1875); was married to Miss Gertie RASMUS of this city, July 14, 1808 (sic - 1898). To this union four children were born, Carl aged 9, Fred, 8, Fay, 6 and Dora aged one, all of whom with the mother, three daughters and three sons survive him. Wm. of Cedar Rapids, Joe and Mrs. J. D. BEAN and son, Jay, of Monmouth, and Chas. of Lockridge, were present at the funeral. Two sisters, Mrs. J. F. HARDESTY, of Robstown, and Mrs. Wm. VANOSDEL of Hopeton, Okla. were unable to attend.

The Washington Journal gives the following account of the accident: "A few minutes after bidding his wife and children goodbye to begin his day's work as a switchman in the local Rock Island yards, E. N. JAMES, of this city met instant death this morning in the local switchyards. He was instantly killed at about 6:30 o'clock, an engine and three cars passing over his body. Just how the accident occurred is a matter of conjecture, as no one witnessed his tragic death. The accident occurred at the west end of the yards near the switch on the end of the team track. From indications it seems that after Mr. JAMES had given the engine crew the signal to back up, he stepped in front of the car to adjust the coupling, when his foot was caught in the frog, or guard rail, and he was thrown in front of the oncoming train. The switching crew was unaware of the sad misfortune until one of their number saw the lifeless form lying between the tracks ahead of them, just as they were ready to pull down to the west end of the track. The body was badly mutilated, the top and back of the head being crushed. The manner in which he was thrown down allowed his left arm to lie across the track and this member was severed above the elbow. The foot, which was caught was mashed fearfully. Other portions of his body, although not so badly mangled, were covered with severe bruises. The remains were carried into the baggage room at the depot, and held there until an inquest was held."

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"The Fairfield Daily Journal"
Monday, April 5, 1909
Page 3, Column 1

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

... --William JAMES who was called here Thursday by the death of his brother returned to his home in Cedar Rapids Saturday. ...

... --Mrs. Mae BEAN and little son returned Saturday afternoon to their home in Monmouth, Ill., after being here a few days owing to the death and burial of Emery JAMES. ...

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"The Fairfield Weekly Ledger-Journal"
Wednesday, April 7, 1909
Page 6, Column 2

JAMES INQUEST HELD WEDNESDAY

The Washington Journal contains the following concerning the inquest over the remains of Emery JAMES who was killed in the switch yards of the C. R. I. & P. Ry., Wednesday:

The inquest over the body of the late E. N. JAMES, who was instantly killed Wednesday morning in the local Rock Island yards, was held at the office of the Coroner Dr. Geo. Hay at 7 oclock last evening. The first witnesses called were G. W. Payne, J. C. Nelson and C. S. Stevenson, conductor, engineer and fireman, respectively, of the local switching crew, of which the deceased was a member. After they had finished the stating of facts in the case as they knew them Link Hall, Chas. Nelson, W. H. Fulton and James Glasgow stated how and where the body was fuond. The statements of the second witnesses corroborated those of the first witnesses. The coroner's jury composed of William Fulton, S. A. Coffman, and J. W. Teeter. The verdict as returned reads as follows:

We do find that said deceased came to his death about 6:30 a.m. on the 31st day of March, 1909, in the Rock Island yards in the city of Washington, Washington county Iowa, while in the discharges of his duties as a switchman; and that the manner of his death was as follows:

That, the said deceased while attempting to open the knuckle on the automatic coupler on the east end of a car of the moving train caught his left heel and shoe in the west end of the aperture between the guard rail and the main rail of the switch track about twenty-four feet west of the switch leading to the team track. At the time of said accident the train was backing toward the east and moving slowly towards him at the time his foot was caught, as aforesaid, and he was struck by said car thus backing towards him, and said car, together with others and the engine attached passed over the body causing instant death.

In testimony whereof, the said Jurors have hereunto set their hands this 31st day of March, 1909.

William Fulton,
S. A. Coffman,
J. W. Teeter,
Jurors.

E. N. JAMES was a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen and, as is the custom when a death occurs, the widow, Mrs. E. N. JAMES is the beneficiary of the insurance which the deceased had in this order. The amount of which the bereaved wife will receive is $1,350. The ending of so useful a life as that of the deceased will bring hardship to the survivors, a wife and four children, who certainly have the sincerest sympathy of their many friends in this city and several other places where the deceased was as well known and respected as in Washington. The amount of insurance will in a measure help them in their immediate needs. The deceased carried no other insurance. Ben Engard, secretary of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen at Eldon, was in the city yesterday on business in regard to the payment of the insurance.

The funeral services were held this afternoon at 1 o'clock from the JAMES home on North Fourth avenue. The funeral was to have been held tomorrow morning, as stated in last evening's Journal, but it was decided to hold it this afternoon. After a short service the body was taken to Fairfield on a special train. The Fairfield I. O. O. F. lodge had charge of the services held after the arrival of the remains in that city which were interred at 3:30 o'clock. The pall bearers were composed of members of the local I. O. O. F. lodge, escorted by members of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.

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"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, April 7, 1909
Page 10, Column 1

Emery N. JAMES

The funeral of Emery JAMES, who was killed last Wednesday in the switchyards at Washington, occurred Thursday afternoon from the home of his mother, Mrs. Marcia JAMES, on East Briggs street, the services being conducted by Rev. G. W. Burch of the Christian church. The body was brought to this city from Washington by special train, and was accompanied by a large number of friends and brother trainmen. The heartfelt sympathy of everyone goes out to this suddenly bereaved family, consisting of a wife and four children, besides a mother, three brothers and three sisters. Interment was made in Evergreen cemetery.

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

Note: Buried in Lot 1st.055. Wife Gertrude died four months after he did, and was buried with him.