Iowa Old Press
Ottumwa Tri-Weekly Courier
Ottumwa, Iowa
Tues. January 8, 1907
SHOCKING END FOR HOUGH
Ottumwa Brakeman Falls From Train Near Davenport
And is Conscious While 42 cars Pass Over Body.
ASKED FOR LAST SMOKE BEFORE DEATH CAME.
Dies in Hospital at Muscatine Three Hours Later—
Burial at Fremont.
From Monday’s Daily.
George Hough, aged 22 years, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hough, 431 Grant street, died yesterday morning at 5:30 o’clock in the hospital at Muscatine. Hough, who was a brakeman on the Milwaukee road, fell from the top of an extra west bound freight train about 2:30 o’clock Sunday morning, between Davenport and Buffalo, the next station west. He was found horribly mangled shortly afterwards by the crew of the Golden State Limited and conveyed to the hospital at Muscatine, where he died three hours later.
Left Here Saturday Morning.
Hough left this city Saturday morning at 5:45 o’clock, on the third section of Milwaukee freight No. 70, under Conductor H. L. Estep. The run to Davenport was made without incident and the crew was called west on an extra freight train about 1:45 o’clock Sunday morning. Shortly before the accident occurred, Hough was seen standing on a car about four cars from the engine. This was just before the train passed through Buffalo, the first station out of Davenport. At Buffalo, the men in the caboose missed him from the top of the train, but as he had been seen standing so near the engine, it was though that he was riding in the cab.
Is Missed at Fairport.
At Fairport, the next station on the line, Hough was still missing and a member of the crew walking toward the engine found the cap worn by Hough lying on the top of the car.
The train was run onto a siding at Fairport and the engine started back towards Davenport. Conductor Estep telegraphed back to Davenport to the conductor of Rock Island train No. 43, which runs over the same track between Davenport and Muscatine, to keep a lookout for Hough along the track.
Found Near Buffalo.
The crew of the Golden State Limited found Hough a short distance out of Buffalo. His body was horribly mutilated, both legs and one arm being severed from the trunk. He was conveyed immediately to the hospital at Muscatine, where he died from his injuries three hours later.
According to Hough’s own story told to a Muscatine reporter after his mangled body had been brought to that city, he was injured while attempting to fix the air brake apparatus at the head of the train. The following is Hough’s dying statement:
“We pulled out of Nahant all right. We had a fast train and the air was not working right. I sent up to the head of the train, went down the ladder, and attempted to fix it. We hit a curve and the steam from the engine blew in my face. I lost my balance and shot down beneath the wheels. I was conscious all the time. In an instant the car had passed over me. I was thrown aside and then drawn under again. The entire train of forty-two cars passed over my body. I lay there still conscious in the cold. It was awful. I saw the headlight of No. 43 coming along the track and thought I should be killed. Then they picked me up. I said fill my pipe, I want a last smoke.”
Wonderful Nerve.
The injured man displayed wonderful nerve. During the wait for the doctor after being brought to Muscatine, he talked with several acquaintances and asked for his pipe.
Was Born in Ottumwa.
George Hough was born in this city March 23, 1884. He resided here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hough, until 1892, when the family returned to Fremont. The family returned to Ottumwa in 1902 and have resided here, for some time past at 431 Grant street.
About five months ago Hough commenced work on the Milwaukee road as a brakeman. He is well known in this city and was a universal favorite with the employes of the road, among whom he had an enviable reputation. Hough was an only child. He leaves his parents and scores of friends to mourn his loss.
Buried At Fremont.
The remains were brought to this city this morning by Hough’s father, accompanied by William Hough, Charles Hampton and Miss Hazel Tutwiler. The funeral services will be held at Fremont Wednesday, but the hour has not been fixed as yet. Interment will be made in the Fremont cemetery.
The Ottumwa Tri-Weekly Courier
Ottumwa, Iowa
Thurs, January 10, 1907
FUNERAL IS TODAY.
Remains of the Late G. Hough Laid to Rest in the Fremont Cemetery.
From Tuesday’s Daily.
The funeral party of the late George Hough, the Milwaukee brakeman who died Sunday in the hospital at Muscatine from injuries received early Sunday morning in falling from the freight train near Buffalo, left this city this morning on Milwaukee train No. 98 at 6:40 o’clock for Hedrick. From Hedrick the party will proceed to Fremont over the Burlington. Interment will be made in Fremont cemetery.
Besides the relatives of Mr. Hough, several brother brakeman of the Milwaukee accompanied the party. Brakeman J. Franklin, J. Chambers and Fred Bissel, were of the party.
[transcribed by L.Z., Oct 2019]