George Washburn HEIST, Jr.

HEIST, KNOWLEN, WINTERS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:53

George Washburn Heist, Jr.
3 October 1887 --- 2 February 1910

Instantly Killed By The Cars
George Heist, a Popular Railroad Man Meets With a Tragic Death

George Heist, aged 22 years, was instantly killed at 1:20 Wednesday morning by being struck and run over by the locomotive attached to train No. 24, of the Northern Iowa division of the Northwestern road. The tragedy occurred directly in front of the Northwestern station in this city, the unfortunate young man being decapitated, other frightful wounds also being inflicted on the body.

Shortly before the tragic event Mr. Heist, Joseph Kozisek and Israel Shaw were in the station baggage room, awaiting the arrival of train No. 10, the eastbound fast mail from Omaha to Chicago. An engine whistled and thinking it was No. 10 they all ran out hurriedly as that train stops here for but an instant and these men, charged with the duty of transferring express, mail and baggage, were compelled to work fast. Kozisek and Shaw, starting first, safely crossed the Northern Iowa track but Heist, who followed, possibly never knew that they had all been mistuken and that the approaching train was from the north instead of the west and that it was coming in on the first instead of the second track from the station. At all events, he ran squarely in front of the incoming train, or slipped on the icy pavement and rolled in front of it. The train was coming slowly and the engineer, knowing he had struck a man, stopped the train within a car length.

The remains were taken to Cochrane & Plumb’s undertaking rooms and this morning were conveyed to Goldfield for interment.

George Heist was the son of Mrs. M. J. Heist, who was married to J. C. Winters a few years ago. He was a man of good character and ability and for nearly a year and a half before his death was in the Northwestern railway service at this place.

Tama Herald -- Tama, Iowa
February 3, 1910

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Mrs. John Winter, whose son, George was killed last week, returned from Goldfield and is seriously ill at her home.

Geo. Heist, who was killed at Tama a week ago was taken to Goldfield for burial. Mr. Heist’s father is buried at that place.

Toledo Chronicle -- Toledo, Iowa
February 10, 1910

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[born in Sidney, Nebraska, the son of George W. Heist, Sr. and Margaret Jane (Knowlen) Heist;]