Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, September 10, 1903

The sad and distressing news reached Lamoni Sunday by telegram from Great Bend, Kan., that VIRGIL SCOTT, the oldest son of Elder COLUMBUS SCOTT, had been killed in a wreck on the railroad there.

The Kansas City Star for Sunday, August 30, contained the following description of the accident:

"Great Bend, Kan., Aug. 29 -- No. 76, the Sante Fe local freight east, ran into the branch local engine tonight in the Sante Fe yards, killing VIRGIL SCOTT, brakeman of the branch crew, and seriously injuring Nate Williams, fireman. Engineer, William Carr, received a broken leg. His head, too was bruised. The local freight escaped injury. No cars were derailed, but the branch engine was made into scrap iron. The branch crew had finished its work in the yards and was backing its engine up the main line track to the "Y" to turn it before going into the round-house. No 76 crashed into it at the west end of the yards. Neither engine had its lights on.

VIRGIL SCOTT, the dead brakeman, is from Lamoni, Ia., where his father is a preacher of the Latter Day Saints. He had been here about two years. He had been married only a few months. Nate Williams, the fireman is from Newton. His injuries are such that he is not expected to live. He leaves a wife and children.

The receipt of the news of this sad accident cast a deep gloom over this community; and a most tender and touching feeling of sympathy for the bereaved parents was absolutely manifested.

Elder SCOTT was notified by telegram and arrived Tuesday morning to join his stricken companion.

The remains of the beloved first born came Tuesday night accompanied by the heart-broken wife, Mr. Byron Bass and Hemen Thompson, and were interred on Wednesday from the Brick Church at l0 a.m., Elder John Smith being in charge and Elder E.L. Kelley preaching the sermon.

VIRGIL was born at Lawrence, Mich., May 29, l879, making him 24 years and 3 months old at the time of his death. He was a graduate of the Lamoni High School and of Graceland College.

It seems, as we learn from Mr. Byron Bass, that VIRGIL lost his life in trying to save others. Seeing the approaching danger in time to save himself, instead of doing so he rushed forward into the cab to warn the engineer and fireman, and before he could get from there to a place of security the crash came in which he lost his life. When men rushed to the aid of the engineer and fireman they said, "Go to SCOTT, he has saved our lives but we fear has lost his own." Unfortunately both engineer and fireman have died; but VIRGIL lost his life in trying to save them -- a noble deed with which to close a young life, and one which will constitute a sweet memory in the future.

A large concourse of people attended the services at the church and followed the remains to their last resting place in Rose Hill.

The deceased leaves a wife to whom he was married but a few months ago; father and mother, one brother and one sister, a number of uncles, aunts and other relatives to mourn his untimely death.

The bereaved ones have the sympathy of the entire community.

--LAMONI PATRIOT.

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
May 29, 2003