Samuel Harry "Harry" Atkinson (ca. 1865-1905)

ATKINSON, HELSER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 1/18/2012 at 17:46:06

From Story County Watchman December 22, 1905

Fatally Injured.

Harry Atkinson, a well known freight conductor, was fatally injured in a wreck at Ames Monday afternoon. Atkinson, who lives in Des Moines, was on the extra list and was in charge of a train between that city and Jewell Junction when the accident occurred. After his train was in the Ames' yards, and while attempting to kick the way car on a switch it collided with an empty coal car which was being sidetracted by the switch engine crew. The two cars met at the frog near the yard office, the coal car being forced under one side of the way car full length.

When picked up, he was lying in a pool of blood from a deep gash in the scalp. He was taken to the railway physician's office where everyting possible was done. He never regained consciousness and died about twelve o'clock Wednesday night. The body has been prepared for burial and was taken to Freeport, Ill., his old home on No. 4 Thursday evening for interment.

Atkinson was a resident of Ames a year or two ago and from here removed to Des Moines, where he has a home and supports two of his children, a boy fourteen years of age and a daughter of ten. His wife recently sued for divorce in the Polk county district court, and also for $75 per month alimony.

It is also rumored here that he had recently falled heir to an estate valued at about $30,000 by the death of his father. He had money to the amount of nearly $150 with him when the accident occurred.

John Atkinson, a brother form Clinton, Mrs. Atkinson from Sycamore, Ill., Miss Bird Scott from Des Moines and John Fuller, a brother-in-law have been at his bedside since Tuesday morning.

From Story County Watchman December 29, 1905

Mrs. Harry Atkinson, divorced wife of the Northwestern conductor who met his death at Ames last week and who was reunited to her husband as he lay dying, will not come in for a share of the man's property. John R. Atkinson, a brother, in getting himself appointed administrator Wednesday, named the three children of the couple as the recipients of the property. They are Randall, aged 12, Sarah, aged 8; Mary, aged 5. He declared that Atkinson left no widow.

SUBMITTER'S NOTE: Samuel H. Atkinson married Susan Helser/Hulser in DeKalb County, Illinois on 30 September 1891. By 1900, the family is listed in the Washington Township, Story County, Iowa census: Samuel, Susan, Randal and Sarah H.