Lewis Independent
Lewis, Cass County, Iowa
August 1, 1883

THE NEW RAILROAD
For the past two weeks, or nearly so, Cass County in general and Atlantic in particular has been exercised over the prospects for a new railroad, to run south from Atlantic. F.H. WHITNEY, in his characteristic manner, quietly put a corps of engineers on the proposed line, and has actually surveyed and bought the right-of-way for six miles of the road, extending from Atlantic to the farm of James WALKER, without making known to anyone either the route, destination, or his backers. These mysterious, though business-like movements, have given rise to numerous conjectures as to the origin and route of the road. Certain movements of the "bosses," a few days ago, indicated the intention to swing off to the east at WALKER's toward the Seven Mile country, leaving Lewis to the right. It is our opinion that has never been the intention, but if it should be done, of course there would be a town established somewhere east which would materially cripple this place. If the road is to be built, and there seems to be but little doubt of it, Lewis cannot afford to let it give her the go-by. Now, we are prepared to say on authority that the company are willing to build to Lewis if her citizens want the road bad enough to make it an object to come here. In other words, a reasonable amount of money will bring it here. Some of our citizens are of the opinion that Lewis is on the route, and that we will get the road at any rate, but even in that case, it would be best to treat the company liberally, and encourage the enterprise. Another railroad, and one that will build no towns in our territory, is a very desirable thing to have, especially when it is to be a competing line. We know of no reason why we should doubt Col. LAMPHERE's words, and if they are true, it will be worth an effort to secure the road. Several applications have been handed in, and the contract for grading the first six miles of the road will be let today, so we were informed at headquarters yesterday. If our citizens think favorably of these remarks, we think it would be about the proper thing to call a meeting and ascertain just how badly we want the road, and let it be known.

CRUSHED TO DEATH -- From the Jordan Advocate
Last Sunday afternoon, Melancthon STANLEY, telegraph operator at the M. & St. L. Station, was fatally injured by falling from a freight train while crossing the bridge at the Water Street crossing. As the train was passing by Water Street, he caught hold of a handrail, and while climbing to the top of the car missed his footing in some manner and fell, striking the timbers of the bridge in going down, and was picked up, after the train passed by, from the cross ties of the bridge, in a shockingly bruised and mangled condition. He was carried into Dr. WALTER's office, where he was kindly cared for by sympathizing friends until death came to his relief, about five hours after the accident occurred. He retained consciousness until within a few moments of his death, and being fully aware that he had but a short time to live, suffering as he was the most intense agony, he dictated a telegraphic message to his parents, informing them that he was upon his deathbed, and requesting them to pray for him. Young STANLEY had only been here a few weeks, but he was well liked by his acquaintances, and his tragic fate cast a glom of sadness over our entire community. His age was about 19 years. His parents reside at Lewis, Iowa, where the body was sent by the Monday evening express.

DETAILED ACCOUNTS OF THE FATAL ACCIDENT WHICH RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF M. STANLEY
Below we publish a letter addressed to Mr. Stanley, written by a friend of his dead son. The letter was not intended for publication, but as the young man had a great many friends here who are interested in the manner of his death, we take the liberty of making it public. We also copy the account of the accident as given in the local paper.

JORDAN, July 25th, 1883
Daniel STANLEY, Esq.
I have taken the liberty of writing these few lines to you, and giving you the details of your son's death.

We had supper together at Mrs. BRYSON's, where we both boarded, and after supper I asked if we could take a walk together, and he says, let us have a song together before we go. So we sang, I think it was, four pieces. May BRYSON was playing the organ. After finishing the last song he said, "Now I am ready to go," and we started for upper town. We got to the railroad crossing (the railroad runs through town) when he says, "Let us get on and we will go to the next station and have a talk with Mr. BREEN, an operator." There being a freight to come back on immediately I consented to go. As they came along where we were standing, and going quite fast, he asked me if I could jump it. I told him I did not know, so he said, "Well, you try, and if you can make it I will get on, if not, I'll not go." So I got on alright, and he got on alright. (These were box cars we got onto, next to the engine.) We were within 40 feet of the bridge when we got on, and I was watching the bridge, and therefore did not see him fall, but those who saw him say he lost his hold on the brace on top of the car, and fell backwards against the bridge, and then downward. His left arm was broken above the elbow, his left foot was badly crushed, his spinal column was injured, and he was also injured internally. He was conscious until he died, and asked us to tell you to pray for him. He felt confident of going to Heaven, and said he expected to meet us there. He lived about 2 ½ hours after the fall, and died about 12 minutes to 11 o'clock Sunday evening. We sent all the clothes that were here, but I think he has some more at Montgomery or Waterville; also his Bible was missing, he thought so much of that, too. He had some $35.00 in his pocket book, and the company owed him for 20 days work. I cannot tell how the railroad company is going to settle, but they have asked us to deliver the money to them, and they would pay all the expenses such as coffin, shroud, doctors, etc. I myself thought very much of him, as we roomed together, and spent most of our leisure hours together. I am assistant postmaster here, and he often said he wished he could work with me in the office. Everybody around here thought so much of him, and he left a great many friends to mourn hiss loss. If you want me to try and find the balance of his clothes, if there were any, I shall do so, or if I can be of any service to you any other way I shall be glad to do so. I should have accompanied the remains to your place, but the postmaster has been gone to Chicago, and left me in charge of the office and consequently cannot leave my duty. I shall send you a copy of our paper this week. The papers you sent to your boy came too late. "Poor fellow," he never will read them. I should be pleased to hear from you, and let me know how and when the remains arrive, also if he still looked natural; for he looked just as natural as could be when we sent him. I will close now, and hope to hear from you soon.
From one of Melancthon's friends,
Respectfully, Frank HEUSE

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Lewis Independent
Lewis, Cass County, Iowa
August 8, 1883

ANOTHER RAILROAD FOR CASS COUNTY
The Wabash Company Backing the Enterprise --- Heading for Lewis and Dirt Already Flying

The citizens of Cass County have been for the last week electrified by the fact that an important line of railroad is actually under construction, and being engineered with a dispatch and energy hitherto unknown in the history of railroad building. The first intimation that the people had of the prospects of this important event in the history of Cass County, was the presence along the line of a corps of surveyors doing permanent work, under the direction of Frank H. WHITNEY, of Atlantic. Beginning at Atlantic, the line was quickly ran down the valley of the Botna immediately west of, and parallel with the Rock Island track, the right-of-way secured, and an advertisement inserted in the papers for bids for six miles of grading, extending from Atlantic to James WALKER's farm just north of Lewis. August 1st, the contract was let to M. CAVANAUGH, of Des Moines, and early next morning a force of hands were at work, cutting trees and preparing the ground for the plows and scrapers. Two days later dirt was flying. The contract limit was forty days from Aug. 1st, but the contractor declares he will finish his task in ten days less time than named, provided the weather is reasonably favorable. In the meantime, not even the members of the Atlantic ring, who are supposed to be "onto" everything in the shape of public enterprise, had the least idea that such a movement was on foot. While all hailed, the new road as the confutation of ardent wishes and looks upon it as the means of imparting new life and permanent benefit to the business of the county, the secret manner in which Mr. WHITNEY carried into effect not only the first steps but actual work, caused curiosity, if not a spark of envy, to find a place in the minds of those who usually suppose they ought to know what is going on. On the 4th a proposition was made to the people of Lewis to give them the advantage of a Wabash outlet in exchange for a 5 per cent tax. The proposition met with decided favor on the part of even the heaviest taxpayers, and the first steps towards contracting with the company was taken at once. So hurriedly was work begun that Lewis men found there was no company with whom they could treat, the law requiring a local company organized under the laws of the State of Iowa. Accordingly articles of incorporation were adopted and placed on record August 4th. The name of the company is Kansas City, Atlantic & Northern. The object is to build a road from the southern line of Minnesota through Cass County, Cass Township via of Lewis to a point on the Missouri River at or near Kansas City. The incorporators are F.H. WHITNEY, J.A. MCWAID, Ella WHITNEY, R.T. MCCREA and W.M. LAMPHERE. The directors are F.H. WHITNEY, J.A. MCWAID, Ella WHITNEY, and Rev. R.T. MCCREA, who will hold until 1884, or until their electors are elected and qualified. F.H. WHITNEY is President, and R.T. MCCREA Secretary of the company. The regular annual meeting of the stock holders will be held on the first Monday in August of each year.

Tuesday, August 7, a petition was circulated, and before night was signed by a majority of the resident free-hold taxpayers of the township, as required by law, calling a special election to be held on Tuesday, August 21, 1883, to vote upon the question of a 5 per cent tax in aid of the road. In this issue of the Independent appears the notice of election. It is expected the depot will be located in the east part of town, probably on the line of the old Rock Island survey, which runs east of Henry MYERS' barn. Should we succeed in securing the road, Cass County, and especially Cass Township, may look forward to a new era of prosperity. A Wabash outlet is the one thing necessary to develop the resources of this the best county in the State. We congratulate the farmers of this township on their prospect for a live competing road through their territory, giving them not only competition in freights but a choice of markets, and adding to the wealth of the township $90,000 of taxable property, to be taxed each year for the benefit of the township for all time to come. Messrs. J.F. FISHER, A. MCCONNEL, and W.H. HUNTER, citizens of Red Oak, were in the city yesterday to interview the managers of the new railroad relative to the prospect of Red Oak securing the same. The Democrat scribe conversed with them and learned that Red Oak would vote a 5 per cent tax in order to get the road. However, the managers of the road made them no definite proposition, and the delegation returned without accomplishing anything definite.-- Atlantic Democrat

WAITS FROM WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP

J.A. SPOOR has bought of F.H. WHITNEY forty acres of land lying south and west of his farm.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Olds of Pottawattamie County, were the guests of C.D. DENISON last Saturday, and spent the Sabbath at Wm. WATSON's.

The daughters of H.H. OBERHOLTZER, an old resident of Lewis, but now of Council Bluffs, are visiting with the family of E.D. HAWES.

Miss Maggie BROWN of Shelby County, spent two days recently among old friends at Ellsworth. Miss BROWN is attending the Normal, but goes back to Shelby County to teach again this fall.

J.J. SCHWARTZ hauled the first load of lumber for his new house on Monday. size, 16 x 28 feet main part, L, 14 x 20 feet. Mr. SCHWARTZ has the cellar in readiness, having had it dug and walled up over a year ago.

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Lewis Independent
Lewis, Cass County, Iowa
August 22, 1883

OBITUARY
It becomes our painful duty to record the death of one of our most promising young men. Elmer CUTTING died Wednesday evening, August 15, 1883, aged 21 years and 25 days, and now lies resting in the Lewis Cemetery. Elmer was an only son, the pride of his parents, and the idol of his three surviving sisters. During life he had never known what it was to be denied the slightest wish. His deportment was quiet and gentlemanly, and his judgment mature beyond his years. He was a loving and obedient son and brother, patient and calm during his short illness never complaining and always hoping for the best. The circumstances of his death, briefly told, are as follows: On the 18th of July (his 21st birthday), he took the train at Lewis for Harlan, where he had engaged as salesman in a clothing house. On Sunday, the 5th of August, he was taken sick, and as he afterward told his sister, thought he must die. Next day, however, he was able to get home, and, although quite ill, he took nourishment regularly, and was able the Sabbath before he died to dress himself and walk out to dinner. On the morning previous to his death he seemed cheerful, and his physician pronounced him better. Later in the day as he was sitting in his reclining chair, attended by his sisters and mother, he suddenly became worse, and in spite of all the efforts of his friends and physician, who was hurriedly called, was dead in little more than a half hour. He died in his chair, while in a congestive chill. His sudden death was a terrible blow to the entire family, and especially to his father. They have the heartfelt sympathies of all who have made their acquaintance here, and of their former neighbors at Guthrie Center.