HOWARD, Hiram H. (A BIT GRAPHIC!!)

HOWARD, NIXON, DIXON

Posted By: Barbara Theis (email)
Date: 3/20/2024 at 20:03:31

Source: Clinton Daily Herald, Clinton, Iowa, Sept. 21, 1878

CRUSHED TO DEATH.
Terrible Fate of a Prominent and Honored Citizen -- Alderman Hiram H. Howard Instantly Killed by a Falling Wheel at the Clinton Iron Works.

A shocking accident occurred in the building known as the Clinton Iron Works, corner of Second street and Eleventh avenue, about twenty minutes past five o'clock yesterday afternoon, resulting in the sudden death of Hiram H. Howard, member of the City Council and one of our most prominent and best esteemed citizens. The particulars of the exceedingly unfortunate affair are briefly as follows: Mr. Howard had been for several days superintending the removal of the remaining machinery belonging to Col. Noyes, and at the time of the accident was engaged with two assistants, Messrs. W. T. Dixon and Wm. Nixon, in lowering from the heavy iron shafting at the east side and about the center of the foundry the ponderous fly wheel of the engine, weighing nearly three thousand pounds. The wheel had been taken off the shafting and lowered to the floor with block and tackle, Mr. Dixon being on the beam overhead, Mr. Howard and Mr. Nixon holding the rope below. When the heavy wheal had settled in an upright position on the floor, Mr. Howard directed Mr. Nixon to carry away a plank which obstructed the way, saying he could hold the wheel alone. His assistants both protested, but Mr. Howard reiterated his ability to hold the wheel and Mr. Nixon started with the plank. He had gone perhaps fifteen feet away when the wheel suddenly began to cant to one side, and before either of his assistants could reach Mr. Howard it was too late to prevent its falling. At this time Mr. Howard was standing entirely clear of the wheel, and could have escaped injury had he dropped the rope; but he tightened his grasp and endeavored to prevent the wheel from falling, and in so doing, ere he was aware, he was drawn under the wheel and at the same time tripped over a beam on the floor and fell over a wooden horse on to the iron engine bed, his head striking the base of an iron pillar and the monster wheel descending with full weight upon his right arm and abdomen, lacerating and breaking the arm and crushing out the life of the unfortunate victim almost instantly. Mr. Howard scarcely had time to realize his fate, and so sudden was the blow that terminated his existence that he did not speak, and although life was not extinct for some moments afterward, during which he was extricated from beneath the wheel, the only movement discernable were one or two faint gasps.
Mr. Dixon jumped from the beam when the wheel fell and as quickly as possible tore a board off the window near by and, seemingly endowed with superhuman strength, actually pried up the heavy wheel and with his companion held it until some people near at hand had answered their call and hastened in and taken out the body -- although neither of the men could afterwards stir the wheel with the same plank a single inch.
During the removal of the machinery Col. Noyes had repeatedly cautioned Mr. Howard against accident, and had desired him to get additional help, but the latter had as often professed his ability to do the work with the force at hand.
The remains of Mr. Howard were removed to his residence about seven o'clock in the evening, and have since been in charge of the Masons.
Coroner Lukens heard of the accident and came down, but it was not deemed necessary to hold an inquest.
The funeral will occur at the late residence on Tenth avenue west of Sixth street, at two o'clock Sunday afternoon, and will be in charge of the Masons. services will be held at the residence, after which a procession comprising the Council and city officers in a body, and the various orders, blue ribbon club, etc., will be formed and escort the remains to Springdale cemetery.
The various Lodges, companies and other societies will meet at their several halls as stated in calls and will form in procession on Fifth avenue at 1:30 o'clock sharp, under the direction of Chas. M. Young, Marshal. The officers of the various organizations are requested to confer with Marshal Young at the Reform Club room between 9 and 11 o'clock Sunday morning. The procession will proceed at 1:45 to the residence, where the services will be held.
Mrs. Howard, who is not physically strong, was apprised of the death of her husband as gently as possible, some of the neighbors preparing the way, with the announcement that he was hurt, for the more severe and true tidings, brought later by Rev. Mr. Bray and Dr. Hazard. She was completely overcome by the news, and was unconscious for a time, being still in a condition of mental prostration. Kind friends are with her, and the whole community offer their earnest sympathy.
Mr. Howard was born in New England and came to Clinton eleven or twelve years ago, engaging at his trade, first in the railway shops, subsequently for Col. TenBroeke, then being interested as part proprietor of the Union Works and afterwards being employed for several years by Col. F. G. Noyes as Superintendent of the Clinton Iron Works. For the past year or two, since the failure of Col. Noyes, Mr. Howard has not been steadily at work, but has devoted considerable attention to the business of the City, being particularly interested at all times in the Fire Department and its welfare. He is the first city officer of Clinton who died while in office. He had been an alderman from the third ward for the past five years. He was about 50 years of age, and was widely and popularly known. In his death the city loses an efficient and valuable officer, the community one of its most valued and honored citizens, society an ornament, various fraternal organizations an earnest worker, the family a kind father and devoted husband.

On Sept. 23, the same paper published a very long article about the funeral. Included was the following information regarding Mr. Howard:

Hiram H. Howard was born in Baco ?, Maine, in 1827, being about 51 years of age at his death. He was married in 1848, when but twenty one years of age, and had enjoyed a happy and peaceful wedded life of nearly thirty years. The had but one child, which the father, who was absent in California, never saw alive, and which was taken from the mother's embrace almost as suddenly as the father, being perfectly well in the morning, and a corpse a few hours afterward. Mr. Howard spent several years of his early life as a sailor, on the Mediterranean and other parts of the sea. He came here eleven years ago, since which time his life was familiar to all. He was elected to Alderman in 1874, re-elected in 1876, and again in 1878, having served continually and acceptably in that office for four and a half years. His work in the Council is a matter of public record. Whenever questions of public order, morality and virtue came before that body, his voice and influence was ever on the side of truth and right. He was particularly interested in the temperance question. Years ago while residing in LaCross, he was a moderate drinker, but finding the appetite growing upon him he became a total abstainer. In his family he was a kind and affectionate husband and father, and as a neighbor many saw in him much to love and admire. In LaCrosse he was a member of a Congregational church, and though on removing here his wife had joined the church in Clinton he had for some reason never transferred his membership. He always said his faith was in the gospel and in the Savior of the gospel, and the New Testament was his constant companion.