Robert Norris

NORRIS, MCCLURG

Posted By: Volunteer - Rhonda Rankin Rowe
Date: 1/31/2002 at 19:01:31

Robert Norris Killed

A Keosauqua Boy Falls From a Train and Breaks His Neck
In Monroe County, West of Ottumwa

Last Saturday afternoon, shortly after 1 o’clock, Mr. Barnes, editor of the Albia Republican, telephoned the Keosauqua Republican that a man by the name of Robert Norris had been killed that morning north of Albia, the indications being that he had jumped from a moving train, about one mile south of Lovilia, and had broken his neck. The telephone also stated (sic) that the dead man had a letter in his pocket from his brother Van of Keokuk, from which it was learned that Robert’s parents lived in Keosauqua. It further stated that the inquest would be held on Monday. We were requested to break the sad news to the parents and to let Albia know when some of the relatives would be there to look after the body. The news of the awful tragedy prostrated the father, mother and sister, who were at their home here, and the sad occurrence was soon the topic of conversation on the streets, in the business houses and at the homes. Word was sent to the only brother Van, and it was arranged that he should take that evening train for the scene of the tragedy. He left Albia with the body Sunday evening and arrived at Keosauqua on the 11 o’clock down train Monday forenoon. The funeral was held at the M.E. church here at 2 p.m. Tuesday, the services being in charge of Rev. W.G. Thorn, and the burial was in the Purdom cemetery.

At this writing we have no word as to the finding of the inquest. Just how the accident happened is not known and probably the mystery will never be satisfactorily solved. Robert, in company with Chas. Haney and possibly another young man or two of this place, went to Ottumwa Thursday of last week. Some of this company returned to Keosauqua Friday evening. When they parted company with Robert they understood that he would go to Fairfield. Since the news of the accident, they state however, that Fluke, a sewing machine agent of this place, who was in Ottumwa on Friday, was persuading Robert to go with him to Albia, Fluke expecting to continue his trip to Bloomfield, they say. The presumption is that Robert changed his plan of going to Fairfield, and went to Albia, and there took an early freight train Saturday morning on the Albia branch of the “Q” for Des Moines. About 7:40 o’clock that morning a farmer, walking along the railroad track, discovered the lifeless, though warm, body of the unfortunate victim, about a mile south of Lovilia, a village 8 or 10 miles north of Albia, and the alarm was given and the body identified as that of Robert Norris. The contents of his pockets, including a small amount of money, were intact and the lifeless body had evidently not been seen until discovered by the passing farmer. The indication is that in some way Robert walked off of the steps of the caboose going at a good rate of speed. The coroner’s inquest may throw some more light on the subject.

Robert was a quiet, industrious man, 33 years old Nov.8, last. He had never married but had always made his home with his parents Mr. and Mrs. John Norris. To them the shock was an awful ordeal, of course. Besides his parents he leaves one brother, Van of Keokuk, and two sisters, Mrs. Curtis McClurg, of Milton, and Miss Della Norris, who is still at home. The stricken family have the heartfelt sympathy of this entire community.

Source; Iowa Rankin and Jenny Matheson newspaper clippings