John WARD

WARD, SMITH, RICHARDSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/24/2013 at 15:34:54

May 28, 1863 --- April 17, 1898

John Ward, a brakeman in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company, was knocked off from a coal car about 1:30 Sunday morning while the train was switching in the Jewell Junction yards. One car and the way car passed over his leg and he died Sunday afternoon from the effects of his injuries. He was standing on a flat car when the train suddenly backed with such force as to pitch him head foremost and he went down between the cars and under the wheels. Conductor Belt who was with him at the time, was also thrown off his feet but caught and saved himself. The injured man was taken to his home at Eagle Grove where the company surgeon did everything possible to save his life, but medical science proved fruitless. His sister at this place, Mrs. Jennie Smith, was notified of the accident and a special train took her to Eagle Grove. She arrived a short time before her brother died.

John Ward was born in Bloomington, Wis., May 28, 1863. He first came to Hawarden about nine years ago, and up to two years ago made his home with his sister on the North side. During the past two years he has made his home at Eagle Grove. On the 22nd of December last he was married to Miss Ida Richardson, of Cherokee. The sad affliction nearly prostrated the young wife, and it is this rending of hearts so near and dear that makes his death doubly sad.

The remains were brought to Hawarden at 2:30 Tuesday afternoon on a special train, accompanied by the relatives and about forty members of the order of trainmen and Odd Fellows lodge. At Ireton twenty-eight members of the Odd Fellows lodge also boarded the train. They were met by the Rebekah and Odd Fellow lodges of this city and escorted the remains to Grace Hill cemetery where the impressive burial service of the Odd Fellow brotherhood was conducted by Mayor Kenny. The sincere sympathy of all go out to the young wife and sorrowing friends in this hour of their deep affliction.

Hawarden Independent - Iowa
April 21, 1898