James Early (1892)

EARLY

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 7/26/2004 at 09:07:35

Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Friday, August 19, 1892
Page 7, Column 1

DEATH OF JAMES EARLY

The King of Shadows Loves a Shining Mark

On Last Monday Morning the Well-Known and Respected Ex-Treasurer Met Death in a Railroad Wreck Near Chicago

The people of this and adjoining counties had hardly recovered from the shock of surprise at the news of the death, by her own hands, of the wife of Thomas Early, when on Last Monday forenoon, like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky, came the announcement, by wire, that ex-Treasurer James Early had been caught in a wreck at or near Chicago and severely, and probably fatally injured. A little after noon came another dispatch saying that at 12 o'clock he died. Tuesday's Inter-Ocean give the following particulars.

"James Early was scalded early yesterday morning in a collision on the Rock Island road at Rexford's Crossing. He died shortly before noon at his home, No. 515 Sixty-fifth street."

"It was about five o'clock that the first section of a freight train heavily loaded with stock, stopped at was supposed, in the dense fog, to be the Grand Trunk Crossing. A brakeman was sent to the rear of the train to place a torpedo on the second section of the train. He had done so, and had returned to his train when the second section, striking the signal, caused the engineer to reverse his engine. The second section was slacking up with the third section, which had not been warned of the proximity of the others, dashed into the caboose at the rear of the section. The third section was running at a high rate of speed when the collision occurred, and the fact that the collision was imminent was seen by the engineer, who promptly reversed his lever and jumped."

"The heavy engine plowed its way the entire length of the caboose, setting fire to the car and breaking the boiler so that the steam escaped. Only two men occupied the caboose at the time, the others having but a moment before gone ahead on the top of the train. Conductor Morrell, who was in the caboose was thrown violently to the ground. He escaped with a few slight bruises. Mr. Early was not so fortunate. He was lying down when the collision occurred, and was caught under the engine. The escaping steam completely enveloped him. He was buried under heavy timbers and his friends could not extricate him."

About the middle of last week James Early and wife came to Des Moines, along with Thos. Early, who was bringing his wife's remains to Des Moines for burial. After the funeral Mrs. James Early, who is a sister of the deceased Mrs. Thomas Early, remained at the late home of her sister for a few days. Thomas Early had bought and collected at Earlham a train of stock, which was to be delivered the latter part of last week. James Early went up to Earlham, received the stock and got it ready for shipment, and on Sunday started for Chicago. The trains increase as Chicago is approached, and this train was running in three sections as stated in the Inter-Ocean's account. Thomas Early and James Early's wife were in Des Moines when the wreck occurred, and started immediately for Chicago.

The funeral services were held on Wednesday afternoon, and the burial was had in Chicago.

James Early is no more! It hardly seems possible, yet it is true. The dazed countenance, the look of horror, the low almost whispered utterance, when the news reached Winterset, all attested, not only the surprise at the accident, but the esteem in which Mr. Early was held in the hearts of the people. Only last March had the family removed to Chicago, where sometime before he had become interested in the stock commission business, being one of the organizers, and the secretary and treasurer of the Northwestern Live Stock Company.

Long will James Early live in the thoughts of the people of Madison county. Here will find kindest expression the words of condolence and sympathy with the wife, in one short week doubly bereaved, and the children. James Early was a man who never betrayed a friend, who was never unjust to a foe. His word was his bond. He was a lover of the pure, the good, the true and the beautiful. Meanness, hypocrisy and can't found no favor with him. He was one of nature's noblemen. A loving husband, an indulgent father, an accommodating neighbor and a faithful friend, he held an enviable place in the affections of all with whom he came in contact.

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Newspaper Unknown
August 1892

St. Charles was thrown into a state of sad excitement last Tuesday by the news of the killing of James Early, ex county treasurer of Madison county in a railroad wreck on the Rock Island, at Blue Island, Illinois on Monday.

Mr. Early and wife moved to Chicago from Winterset a little over a year ago, just at the expiration of his second term as county treasurer, in which city he was engaged as treasurer of the Northwestern Live Stock Commission Co. Himself and wife had came to Des Moines to attend the funeral of Mrs. Thomas Early, his brother's wife and his wife's sister, who committed suicide last week by hanging.

Thomas Early is a stock dealer and had a number of loads of cattle ready for shipment from Earlham. James left his wife at Des Moines visiting and started to take his brother's cattle through to Chicago, after which his wife expected to follow. Little did he think that he was starting on his last journey. The train of stock was running in two sections, and when near Blue Island the back section collided with the rear end of the leading section. Mr. Early was riding upon the engine of the back section at the time. There were six men in the caboose of the same train, and all escaped save him. He was caught and scalded to death by steam and water from the wrecked engine. The wreck occurred in the morning and he died about noon. A telegram at once summoned his wife and brother Thomas and they went immediately to Chicago.

The remains were buried in Chicago Wednesday. This is an extremely sad bereavement for Mrs. Early, following so closely upon the tragic death of her sister, and none but one so sadly bereaved can comprehend the sorrow attendant upon the death of a sister and a husband both in about one week's time. Mr. Early was one of the best treasurers Madison county ever had. He was a gentleman who only needed to be known to be loved and respected.