Hammer, Willie – d. 1878

BAKER, HAMMER

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 10/6/2010 at 11:38:32

Death of Willie Hammer – Last Wednesday morning, just as we were going to press, the sad intelligence was received that Willie Hammer had been killed by the cars at Colfax, about one o’clock that morning – and we had only time to make the bare announcement in that issue. Willie was employed as brakeman on train No. 15, and had only been on the road a few months. On the arrival of the train at Colfax, he was ordered to uncouple the cars from the engine – which were still in motion – and in doing so, in some manner was thrown under the cars, three of which passed over him and dragging him a distance of over a hundred feet. When found his clothing was almost all torn from his body, and from his waist downward he was horribly mangled and crushed. Strange as it may seem, he was perfectly conscious, and after being conveyed to the hotel, talked freely to the many friends gathered around him, bidding each goodbye, and patiently awaiting for death to release him from his sufferings. He lived a little over two hours after the accident, retaining full possession of his mental faculties to the last.
Willie was 21 years of age last May. He was the son of Dr. and Mrs. I. A. Hammer, formerly of this city, but now living in Des Moines. He was engaged to be married to miss Belle Baker, a most estimable young lady, of Colfax, the ceremony to have taken place on Thursday evening of this week. A home had been procured and furnished, all ready for the reception of his young bride; and on the Saturday following the accident he would have left the road for a lucrative position in Des Moines. But, alas, Death came, and all his bright hopes and plans were forever blasted.
The funeral was held at Colfax, on Thursday morning, Rev. David Shenton, of the M. E. Church, conducting the services. It was probably the largest funeral procession ever witnessed in Colfax – attesting the love and esteem in which Willie was held by those with whom he had been most intimately associated for a number of years. Quite a number of our Newton people were in attendance, to pay the last tribute of respect to one whom they had known and loved from his infancy.
The grief-stricken parents and friends have the warmest sympathy of their friends here in their terrible affliction.
Source: Newton Journal; October 31, 1878, page 3