Andrew Steffen

STEFFEN

Posted By: John Evan Davis (email)
Date: 11/15/2014 at 11:17:23

Ottumwa tri-weekly courier, February 28, 1911
AGED MAN FALLS VICTIM OF TRAIN
ANDREW STEFFEN FOUND BADLY MANGELED ON BURLINGTON TRACKS
The horribly mangled remains of Andrew Steffen, who with his wife reside in the small office like building on the corner of Iowa avenue and Main Street, was found near the May street overhead crossing of the Burlington this morning about 7.45 o'clock. The train that caused his death is not known, except that it was either No.
10, the fast coast limited, or the "peavine" freight, eastbound, as the body was picked up on the South, or east bound track.
No One Saw Accident.
The accident seems enshrouded in a little mystery, as no one seems to have witnessed the tragic death, and the fact that Mr. Steffen, who is an aged man and employed at the packing house, had no visible reason for being near May street at the time he his met his death. Residing on Iowa avenue and Main Street, he had to cross over the railroad at Iowa avenue, which is fully three blocks distant to the west of the place his body was found cut in two. The fact that his body was still warm when found, coupled with his having to be at work at 7 o'clock, would lend a possibility of his having been struck at Iowa avenue while crossing over the tracks to his work, and being carried to May street before actually beneath the merciless wheels of the train. Little credence is given this theory, although no solution is available to his being found dead so far from his path to work at the packing house. He was employed in the foreign shipping room under Alex Brown.
Was Very Old.
Andy Steffen, as he was best known among his fellow workmen, was over 70 years of age and showed an even a
greater age in his carriage, being quite stooped. He was somewhat feeble and slow of movement, and for a number of years held door and did other light work his age would permit, at the Morrell plant. He is survived by his wife, with whom he made his humble home. His remains were taken to the Sullivan undertaking rooms, where preparation for interment will be made and an inquest probably held this evening at 7 o'clock.
Friends May Take Charge.
Little is known of the old, man, although he has lived in the east end for some years past and has told per sons that he was 77 years of age. On account of the fact that his wife is not mentally sound and is nowise competent to make arrangements for his interment, it is probable that local charity may lend aid in the final disposition of the unfortunate victim of the rails.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier, March 02, 1911
The funeral of Andrew Steffen who was accidentally killed Monday morning by a Burlington train, was held this morning at the Sullivan chapel at 9 o'clock. Rev. J. W. Pool of the Main Street Methodist Episcopal church, conducted the services. Mesdame A. W. Slaught and John Hughes furnished the song service, singing "Nearer My God to Thee," "We Are Going Down the Valley," and "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere." The remains were interred in the Shaul cemetery.