Curt Cutcomp 1872-1898

CUTCOMP, PARSON, OWEN, ARMBRIGHT, PENCE, WILCOX, MULHERN

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 5/22/2021 at 11:58:59

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Thursday, April 14, 1898
Page 1

Curtis Cutcomp dead.

On Friday Mr. Cutcomp received a telegram from Raton, New Mexico saying that his son Curt was laying dangerously sick at Kansas city. He and wife went down on the midnight train to find their boy barely alive, but entirely unconscious. About 9 o'clock Saturday night he passed away and the remains were brought home with them reaching this place on the early morning train, Monday.

His death was something of a mystery. The certificate accompanying the body, pronounce death the result of concussion of the brain. It is thought to have been a case of cerebrospinal menengitis.

Young Cutcomp had been working since the first of last August in the railroad shops of the Sante Fe at Raton. Was on his way home for a short visit before starting to join Will Parsons in British Columbia for a trip to Klondike. He came on a stock train to Kansas City and went to a hotel, Wednesday the 6th calling and paying for a bed. He explained to the landlord that he was not feeling very well and complained of a severe headache. About 9 o'clock the next morning, not having left his room and investigation was made when he was found in an unconscious condition.

The police were notified and he was removed to St. Joseph's hospital. He carried with him a draft drawn by the Raton bank, also an employer's certificate from the Sante Fe officers and they were telegraphed. In turn the officers of the road telegraphed the sad intelligence to his parents here.

Curtis was born December 11, 1872. He was thus between 25 and 26 years of age. He had been complaining of not feeling well in several of his last letters to his parents. This was probably the result of overwork, to a certain extent, as he had been doing extra hours for some time. His death was a terrible shock to his parents who were arranging for a pleasant visit with him during his stay here before going north. They have the profoundest sympathy of all in their great sorrow. The funeral took place from the Methodist church Wednesday morning conducted by Rev. Geo Stone. The pall bearers were his old schoolmates, Roy Parsons, Harry Owen, Henry Armbright, Wm Pence, Rob Wilcox and Will Mulhern.