Perkins, F. James died 1891

PERKINS

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/21/2010 at 11:55:43

A Fatal Accident

J.F. Perkins,a brakeman on Conductor Longs train met with an accident at Ireton last Friday evening which resulted fatally a few hours after it occurred. Just how it occurred no one will ever know. They were switching and when pulling down the main line to set out a car, Jim was known to have gone between the car and the tender, presumably to uncouple them. In standing upon the bumpers, it is supposed that he slipped and fell, the car passing over him. No one discovered the accident until the engine had pulled beyond the switch and the engineer and fireman in looking back for a signal to reverse, saw the unfortunate man lying between the rails.

On reaching him he was found to be in and insensible condition, his right arm crushed from the elbow to the shoulder and his right leg broken between the ankle and knee, and internal injuries of a fatal nature. He was tenderly cared for and brought to his home in Hawarden, where medical aid was summoned, but of no avail. He never regained complete conciousness and expired a little after ten that evening.

The remains were taken to his former home at Castina, this state, Saturday for interment. The deceased leaves a wife and two small children to mourn his untimely death. A subscription paper was circulated for the benefit of the family who were left in limited circumstances and our public spirted citizen contributed nearly $200 to their needs. It was a sad affair indeed, and the broken hearted wife has the sincere sympathy of the entire community.

Source:Hawarden Independent(4-16-1891)
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From the Alton Democrat of Apr. 18, 1891

Hawarden Items.

James Perkins, of this town, employed as brakesman on the C. & N.W. railroad, was fatally injured at Ireton last Friday evening. He was brought home and died in about two hours, leaving a wife and two children in destitute curcumstances. His remains were taken to Castana, Iowa, for burial, the railroad company paying the expenses. Benevolent friends raised a purse of aobut $200 for the widow and orphans.