The death of a son

TOMLIN, NOSEK, TAYLOR

Posted By: Linda Bandli (email)
Date: 4/5/2006 at 01:20:14

Letter found in Annie Nosek Tomlin's Estate

Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Ry.

Office of
Agent Knoxville Ia 10/12, 1896
Mr George Tomlin

Iowa city Ia.
Dear Sir:-

I suppose you would like to know the particulars of your sons death and not knowing wheather any one else will write or not, I will write you what I can about the sad affair. He started to work this AM- very jolly and was laughing and joking with the men. About 9 0'clock he was standing on a scaffold prying with a crowbar to get a piece of iron in place. He let go his hold on the brace and threw his whole weight on the bar with both hands when the bar slipped and he fell backwards 40 feet. In his fall his body struck a brace and it bounced from one brace to the other until it reached the ground. He evidently lost conciousness almost as soon as he started to fall. His fellow workmen brought him in on the hand car immediately and everything possible done for him. He never regained consciousness and died at 12:05 o'clock. His foreman G. H. Calvert and myself selected the burial casket and while we tried to get a nice one we did not to make you any great expense and hope we have suited you in our selection.

We assure you that you and your family have the sympathy of the entire Railroad force at this place. While he was here but a short time he made friends of all who met him.

Sincerely Yours,

Ora Taylor

Agt. CRI&P Ry.