Jackson, John R. 1901-1932

JACKSON, MOULDEN, FORSLING

Posted By: Kathy Baker, Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/20/2006 at 00:49:35

Printed Hinton paper
Dated: April 21, 1932

Man Riding Freight Killed Near Merrill

Believed to have been "bumming"his way east in search of work, John R. Jackson of Sioux City,
was found dead between the railroad tracks near Merrill, Tuesday morning.
----------
LeMars Sentinel, April 22, 1932

LOSES LIFE IN FALL FROM CAR
Mangled Body of Jack Jackson Found on Railroad Track Near Merrill
RIDING FREIGHT TRAIN
Leg Was Severed and Head Bruised and Crushed

The mangled body of a man, lying on the railroad tracks a mile north of
Merrill, was described by a party of Illinois Central railroad officials as
they sat and chatted in an observation car attached to the west bound train
on the Illinois Central railroad due in LeMars Tuesday morning at 7:15.

A section crew was dispatched to the spot where the body was seen and S.H.
Luken, of LeMars, county coroner, was notified and went down to make an
investigation. An address on a slip of paper contained in a pocket of the
dead man’s clothes established his identity as Jack Jackson, residing at
1311 West Sixth Street, Sioux City.

Coroner Luken stated his belief that Jackson bled to death. His right leg
was severed above the ankle and there was a deep cut on his forehead. The
body lay in spread-eagle fashion and the arms were extended as if in
protection of his face which was buried in dirt. He had apparently been
dragged about fifty feet after slipping between two cars.

The body was taken to the Barnett funeral rooms in Merrill.

LEFT HOME MONDAY

The coroner learned that Jackson had been making his home with a
half-sister, Mrs. Irene Forsling, 1311 West Sixth Street, in Sioux City, the
past four months. Jackson was last seen when he left the home of his sister
early Monday morning. He did not tell her where he was going. He had been
employed as a radio repairman in a Sioux City department store until several
weeks ago when he lost his job and had been out of work. The man is believed
to have boarded a freight train some time Monday night on a quest for
employment.

Jackson was born in Indianapolis, Ind., July 1, 1901, and located in Sioux
City about fifteen years ago. He was divorced from his wife, who prior to
her marriage was Alice Moulden, about four years ago.

In addition to his divorced wife he leaves a son, James, aged 8, and a
daughter, Imogene, 6 years old. His father, J. J. Jackson, resides in Kansas
City, Mo.

Jack Jackson served in the National Guard, enlisting in Kansas City, and was
stationed at Brownsville, Texas, during the war.

Coroner S.H. Luken of LeMars, said Jackson bled to death. His right foot was severed above the ankle and his face was bruised. He had been dragged along the railroad rightofway about 48 feet, according to Coroner Luken. He had been dead serveral hours when his body was found.
-----
LeMars Sentinel
April 26, 1932

VICTIM IS BURIED
SERVICES HELD FOR JACK JACKSON, KILLED IN FALL FROM TRAIN

Funeral services for Jack Jackson, 30 years old, 1311 West Sixth Street,
Sioux City, who was killed when he fell under the wheels of a freight train
near Merrill Monday, were held at Graceland Park Chapel in Sioux City Friday
afternoon. Rev. J.W. Carlson, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sioux
City, officiated and interment made in Graceland Park Cemetery.