GILBERT, Charles A. 1853-1902

GILBERT, OSBORNE, MARKHAM, WILLIAMS, BROWN, REBELL

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 1/21/2013 at 12:58:58

C. A. GILBERT
MEETS DEATH

Life Is Crushed Out This Morning
in Illinois Central Yards

Caught Between Switch Englne and
Bad Order Car.

His Son, Fred Gilbert, Killed About
Two Years Ago.

Charles A. Gilbert, one of the veteran conductors of the Illinois Central was instantly killed in the yards this morning while on his way to the yard office to take his run. Mr. Gilbert left his home about 6:15 to take his regular run on Nos. 95 and 96 between Waterloo and Ackley. He arrived at the upper yards and noticed that switch engine 1527, Engineer Montgomery and Switchman Ball, was just leaving for the yard office with one car. He stepped on the foot board between the engine and car for the purpose of riding to the lower yards, not noticing that the car to which the engine was attached was a bad order car with no drawbar, being drawn by the use of a chain. The engine ran to the lead opposite the east end of the coal chute and stopped. When the air was applied the engine came to a stand still and the car, on account of the lack of a drawbar, closed up on the engine, catching Mr. Gilbert between the engine and the car, crushing his life out in an instant. When the car came in contact with the engine, it slacked back again, allowing Mr. Gilbert's body to drop to the ground, but he was already dead, the car and engine having caught him just below the chest, crushing his body almost in two.

He was immediately picked up by the switching crew and taken to the yard office, where the body was held to await the action of the coroner's jury which was empanelled at once.

Deceased leaves a wife, one daughter, Mrs. Stella Markham of Cripple Creek, Col., besides one brother and three sisters, all of whom were immediately notified of his death, and are expected to attend the funeral services which have not yet been definitely arranged for.

Mr. Gilbert has been in the service of the Illinois Central Railroad company since September 1880, when he took employment as a brakeman. He was promoted to the position of conductor five years later and has been in the employ of the company in this capacity ever since, being one of the oldest freight conductors on this division, having the Ackley turn-around run and extra passenger service. He was one of the best known railway men making his home in Waterloo, and his death will be deeply mourned by his many friends among the railroad men and in the city.

Deceased was born at Martin's Landing, Vt., August 6, 1853. He removed to Mitchell county, Iowa, in 1861, afterwards living in Fort Dodge, coming to Waterloo in 1880. He was married in Mitchell County, September 6, 1878 to Miss Clara Osborne. Two children were born to them. Fred, who was killed on the Dubuque division of the Illinois Central a year ago last February by falling from a train at Dyersville, and Stella, now Mrs. Markham of Cripple Creek, Col.

He was a member in good standing of Howland lodge. A.O.U.W. and the Iowa Legion of Honor, carrying $2,000 insurance in each order. The funeral services will be under the auspices of Howland Lodge.

The bereaved wife is prostrated with grief at her home, 122 Sumner Street. The blow falls severely on account of the recent death of her only son. It was less than fifteen minutes after Mr. Gilbert left home this morning that a messenger came to inform the wife of his death. Of the happy family of four of less than two years ago, only the daughter remains to comfort the grief-stricken mother.

Coroner McManus convened a jury early this morning composed of Ashley Dunham, Frank Landgraff and F.W. Sherburne. After making inquiries into the cause of death they rendered a verdict that defendant came to an accidental death in the manner stated above.

The remains were removed to an undertaker's room where there will be prepared for burial.

[Waterloo Daily Courier, Monday, December 22, 1902, Waterloo, Iowa]
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Obituary

Charles A. Gilbert was born in Barton Landing, Vermont, on the 6th day of August, 1849, When he was 11 years old his parents moved to Mitchell, Iowa, and it was here that he met and married Miss Clara Osborn, their wedding taking place on December 6, 1878.

In 1880 the young couple moved to Sioux City where Mr. Gilbert began his railroad career as baggage man on the Illinois Central road. Several years later he began working as brakeman for the same company and he was given a run from Sioux City to Fort Dodge. Fifteen years ago he was promoted to the position of conductor and was given a run out of Waterloo. Since that time he has made his home in this city.

He is survived by his wife and one daughter, Mrs. Stella Markham, of Cripple Creek, Colo., the only son, Fred, having been killed in a railroad accident at Dyersville in February, 1901. Mrs. Markham has been informed of the accident and will probably arrive in the city today. He is also survived by one brother, Fred S., of Salem, Oregon, and three sisters, Mrs. Ira Williams, of Martinsville, Mo., Mrs. Mary Brown of Cedar Palls, and Mrs. Alma Rebell, of this city.

Deceased was a member of the A. O. U. W. and the Legion of Honor, carrying $2,000 insurance in each of these orders. The funeral services will be held at the Evangelical church next Thursday afternoon at 2:30. Rev. Thos. M. Evans officiating. The members of the local lodge of the A. O. U. W. will attend the services in a body. Interment will be made at Fairview.

[Waterloo Times-Tribune, Tuesday, December 23, 1902, Waterloo, Iowa]

NOTE: His wife, Clara, remarried a few years later. See marriage announcement for her on the Mitchell Marriage Announcement page.