Bowen W. John (1883-1905)

RUMBAUGH, JOHN, OLINGER

Posted By: Gail and Dennis Bell
Date: 6/11/2005 at 20:40:17

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, November 2, 1905, page 4, column 1. "BOWEN JOHN KILLED - In a head on collision between two freight trains on the Rock Island, near Casey, Monday evening, Bowen John, formerly of this city, was killed outright. Bowen was brakeman on one of the trains and according to report was running along on the top of the train when the collision occurred. His mangled body was found clear outside the railroad right of way, where it had been hurled. The news of Bowen's sudden death came as a great shock to his many Maxwell friends, and especially to his numerous relatives. He was an exemplary young man and one everyone here respected. He was married a year or two ago to Miss Effie Rumbaugh, of Mingo and thus leaves a young wife, besides many other relatives and friends, to mourn his untimely death."

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, November 2, 1905, page 1, column 3.
"Mesdames Eliza Olinger, J. M. Olinger, H. J. Olinger and Chas. Parker and Messrs. Logan Olinger and Will John went to Des Moines Tuesday evening, called there by the sudden death of Bowen W. John."

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, November 9, 1905, page _. "Obituary. - The funeral of Bowen W. John whom it was announced in last week's TRIBUNE WAS KILLED IN A RAILROAD WRECK AT Casey on Monday evening, October 30th, was held in the C. P. church of this city Thursday afternoon. Rev. Dr. Wilson, of Davenport, preached the sermon and was assisted in the service by Rev. Clay Bobbitt. Dr. Wilson preached a very forceful sermon, in which he portrayed the life in all its beauties and said that the christian never died but was only transformed into new realms and made the partaker of larger blessings than were possible here. Bowen W. John, son of S. B. and Nancy J. John, was born in Maxwell, November 29, 1883 and met his death in a railroad wreck at Casey, Ia., on October 30, 1905, being at the time of his death, twenty-one years, ten months and twenty-nine days old. He spent his boyhood days in Maxwell, where he was known and loved by all. He was married, December 24, 1903, to Miss Effie Mabelle Rumbaugh. Bowen was a very popular singer, being known throughout the state as such. He had been engaged as an evangelistic singer at various times and had two such engagements for the very near future. About a year ago while singing in a meeting for Dr. Wilson at Davenport he gave his heart to God and has since lived a consistent christian life, thus a very promising career for the young man was suddenly cut off in its very beginning. He is survived by his young wife, father, mother, four sisters and one brother. A large concourse of people assembled at the church to pay their last respect to a noble young man who had live among them and by his exemplary life had cast a most excellent influence over those with whom he came in contact. The floral contributions were profuse, showing the high esteem in which Bowen was held by his associates. Interment was made in the Maxwell cemetery. The pall bearers were all cousins of the deceased: Messrs. Hugh and Logan Olinger, Clark and Will John and Lee and Ross Olinger. The wreck in which Bowen was killed was a head-on-collision between two freight trains on the Rock Island railroad. Bowen was front end brakeman on one of the trains and was running along on top of the cars when the collision occurred. He was instantly killed and his body badly mangled. This sudden death was a sad blow to his many relatives and friends, and especially to his young wife who was greatly devoted to him. The bereaved relatives will have the sincere sympathy of a large circle of friends in the time of their great sorrow." "Card of Thanks. We wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the dear people of Maxwell for the sympathy extended to us in our great sorrow and bereavement through which we have been called to pass, in the sad accident and death of our dear son, husband and brother. God grant that we may say, "Thy will be done." Mrs. B. W. John, S. B. John and Family."