Romberg, Roelof 1831-1906

ROMBERG

Posted By: Lydia Lucas-Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/7/2011 at 23:53:03

SHOCKING TRAGEDY

Roelof Romberg was instantly killed in Alton Wednesday morning [April 25]. He attempted to cross the Omaha track and was hit by a passenger train. His body and skull were crushed on the right side and his left leg was also crushed. The accident occurred at the south end of the Omaha railroad yards near the residence of the senior Riedeman at eight-twenty Wednesday morning. Deceased had been to the home of his son who lives in that vicinity. He left there and started for his own home about eighty rods north and across the track. There is a seldom used crossing where the accident occurred. The old man attempted to cross this apparently ignoring the presence of a train. He stepped directly before the morning passenger north and was lifted from his feet and dashed upon the pilot. The engineer and fireman saw him beside the track but never dreamed of his stepping upon it and were so dazed by the shock that they did not get the train stopped for something like 1500 feet. Then they found the old man dead. Aside from them the only witnesses to the tragedy were the old man's eight year old granddaughter--who stood in the public road a couple of rods away--and Miss Cynthia Lucas who saw it all from her home about sixty rods away. Neither could tell anything definite. The old man was seventy-five years old and somewhat deaf and always carried his head to one side and bent forward. His general appearance was that of one in a deep study. It is the opinion of many that he was absorbed in deep meditation and failed to hear or see the train.

A coroner's inquest was held Wednesday afternoon by Dr. Gleysteen by authority from County Coroner Huizenga. With the evidence at hand it was impossible to return any verdict except the simple one that death was due to being struck by a railway train. This is in substance the verdict returned by the jury composed of Thomas Gales and Ben Lenssen and Leendert Vander Meer.

Deceased was born in Drenth province in the Netherlands of German parentage and was a relative of the wealthy German brewers of his name at Dubuque. He came to this country twenty-three years ago and had labored hard to bring his sons to the land of the free. The last one joined him here last year. He leaves an aged wife in poor health and six children. They are Mrs. Harm Hulst of Alton, Mesdames Dick Hulst and Klaas Smith of Hospers, Henry of Hospers and Roelof and John of Alton. The funeral was held from the Reformed church Thursday at two.

Source: Alton Democrat, April 28, 1906, p. 1

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From the same issue of the Democrat (Hospers page):

Henry Romberg and Mrs. Baker Smith were called to Alton this week by the death of their father who was killed by the nine o'clock train Wednesday morning in the Alton yards.

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R. ROMBERG KILLED

While walking on the tracks of the Omaha railroad at Alton this morning, R. Romberg was struck by the north bound 8:30 passenger train and instantly killed. The accident took place about three blocks south of Main street and the train ran two blocks before it could be stopped, carrying the mangled body of Romberg along on the pilot of the engine. Mr. Romberg was about 70 years old and has lived there many years doing odd jobs of work. He was walking alone to the place of his son and no explanation is apparent as to why he did not leave the track as the train approached instead of walking square into the engine. The body was taken to the undertaking rooms at once. The train runs very fast at the place of the accident. Romberg's children are all grown up, but his wife is still living.

Source: Sioux County Herald, April 25, 1906.

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Roeloef Romberg, born 19 Sep 1831, died 25 April 1906.
His wife was Hendrikje Romberg, born 19 May 1833, died 5 January 1908.