James R. O'Neil (1860-1891)

ONEIL

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 1/28/2016 at 22:34:08

From Nevada Representative January 28, 1891

--Jack O'Neil, the father of Conductor O'Neil, shot of Long Point, last week, lost his life in the Honey Creek flood and disaster which made Kate Shelley famous.

On the same page:

Conductor James O'Neil in the employ of the Northwestern was fatally shot by a tramp or thief at Long Point, the first station east of Tama City, last Thursday about 8 A. M. He and railroad detective were examining the train in search of a couple of thieves who were supposed to be on the train. While entering one of the cars, O'Neil was fired at with a shot gun and instantly killed. Purcell, the detective, escaped a like fate by the gun missing fire. The desparadoes of which there were two escaped, though one of them is thought to have been wounded by the two shots Purcell sent after them. They have not yet been captured. Mr. O'Neil was accounted one of the best conductors of the road. His home was in Boone where his remains were taken for burial.