George W. Keyes (1843-1897)

KEYES

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/21/2011 at 00:42:15

From Story County Watchman October 29, 1897

Many of our people will remember Geo. W. Keyes who formerly lived in this city and made a number of rustic seats and settees which may be seen in various parts now. The Des Moines Leader of Sunday morning gives the particulars of his being killed by the cars as follows:

George W. Keyes, an old soldier, of Berwick, was struck by a Chicago Great Western train some time between Friday evening and Saturday morning and killed. His remains were found a quarter of a mile above th Western Coal company's mine Saturday morning at 6 o'clock by miners who were on their way to work. Keyes was seen coming in the direction of Des Moines Friday afternoon by section men who were working along the Chicago Great Western tracks. It is supposed he came to this city and started to return home in the evening. It is said that he was accustomed to walk the tracks when he came to Des Moines. When he started for home Friday night it was charged he was under the influence of liquor. At any rate an empty bottle that had evidently contained whisky was found in his pocket. When the body was found it was lying a few feet from the rail. The base of the skull was crushed and the backbone was shattered. Keyes had apparently been struck from behind while walking in the tracks and killed instantly. The remains were rigid and seemed to have lain in death about ten hours. Six feet away from the rail the watch of the dead man was found. It was still running. Keyes was aged 55 years and was a member of Company G. of the Eighty-fourth Illinois volunteers. He leaves a wife, three daughters, one of whom is married and one son. The remains were set to Selover's undertaking rooms and the funeral wil be held at Berwick Monday afternoon.