Mack, Geo. W. 1831-1895

MACK, LITTLE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/3/2012 at 09:21:24

The Grinnell (IA) Herald

--One of the saddest accidents it has been our duty to chronicle occurred yesterday afternoon, by which Mr. Geo. W. Mack lost his life. He had been to the Iowa Central train going north. Returning to the hotel the hack was full, and Mr. Mack requested Dick Heald to allow him to drive. Dick proposed that he drive himself, and that Mr. Mack walk up; but as Mr. Mack rather urged permission to drive, Dick gave him the reins, and he himself walked. Mr. Mack drove upon a slow trot, the team being one that has been used for three years on the hack. An engine was standing near the corner of the park. The team took fright at it and started to run. Mr. Mack lost control, and the team dashed with the hack over the well platform, near the front of the hotel. The shock threw Mr. Mack forward, and out of the hack. The latter fell on him with its ponderous weight, crushing his skull, so that he died almost instantly. The body was at once taken into the hotel and prepared for burial. A telegram was sent to Minneapolis to W.A. Little, telling him of the sad accident.

The team was stopped at the hotel, and strange as it may seem, the occupants of the hack were but little injured.

Geo. W. Mack was born in Lenox, Berkshire Co., Mass., Feb. 9, 1831, the fifth member of a family of nine boys and girls. He grew to manhood on the farm and in 1851 was united in marriage with Cybelia A. Langdon, who with one daughter, Mrs. W.A. Little, survives him. In 1862 he entered the Mass. Cavalry and joined the Army of the Potomac. He was afterwards transferred to the light artillery, and remained in the service to the end of the war. He then returned to the farm at Lenox. In 1869 he came west to Grinnell and purchased the farm west of town now occupied by Mr. Sam'l Osborne. In the early seventies he sold this place to E.M. Hathaway and entered the ranks of the business men of Grinnell. Of this fraternity he may be said to have been an active member until his death.

Mr. Mack was a genial, affable man, a warm and steadfast friend, square in his dealing with men. Tho modest and unassuming in his manner, he was a friend who could always be trusted, and had a just pride in his military record.