RAILROAD ACCIDENT FATAL TO CHARLES SAMUELSON

  Struck by Slow Freight Train While at Work Near Depot ---    
                 Death Came in Elgin Hospital

 Hampshire was shocked by another railroad tragedy here Tuesday 
afternoon about 3:15 o'clock when Charles SAMUELSON, section foreman of 
this village, was struck and fatally injured by an east bound freight 
train.

 The accident happened about a half mile west of the local depot.  Mr. 
SAMUELSON was at work with the section hands on the west bound track 
when the accident happened.  He was about 200 feet west of the other men 
and did not hear the approaching train.  The workmen stepped off the 
track and thought that Mr. SAMUELSON had stepped across the tracks and 
did not know of the accident until after the train had been stopped.

 The freight was an extra and was running on the wrong track, being sent 
that way so that the four o'clock train might pass without causing the 
heavy train to take the side track at Hampshire.  Engineer Herman 
BEAUTOW stated that he saw the man on the tracks and sounded the 
whistle, thinking that Mr. SAMUELSON whom he recognized, would step off 
in time.  The unfortunate man, probably knowing that he was on a track 
that he thought clear at the time, gave no thought of the approaching 
train, and was struck by the tender of the engine.  The train was 
stopped and members of the crew did what they could to make him 
comfortable.  No. 24, the four o'clock train was flagged and stopped.  
Mr. SAMUELSON was put aboard this train and taken to the hospital.

 It was found there that he had sustained a broken back, besides other 
internal injuries and a badly mangled leg.  All efforts to save his life 
were in vain and he never recovered from the ether.

 Mr. SAMUELSON had been an employee of the railroad for over thirty 
years and had served many years in the capacity of section foreman.  He 
was known by his men as a most careful man, ever watchful that those 
under him left the tracks where they were working in time to let trains 
pass.  In all the years he held a position with the road he had 
sustained no serious injury, having always avoided any by his 
carefulness.

 Coroner Norton held an inquest in Elgin Wednesday afternoon and the 
verdict returned was accidental death.

 Charles SAMUELSON was born in Skultorp Sweden on Nov. 4 1871, and died 
March 10, 1925 having reached the age of 53 years, 4 months and 6 days.

 At the age of 17 years he moved to the state of Illinois and settled in 
Hampshire, where he has made his home ever since.  He was united in 
marriage to Lydia AURAND on April 12, 1899 and this union was blessed 
with six children, one son who preceded his father in death.

 Those who mourn his departure are his widow, three daughters, Esther 
and Mabel of this village, Pearl of Oak Park, and two sons, Vernon of 
Chattanooga TN, and Clarence of Hampshire, besides his father and 
mother, four brothers and one sister who live in Sweden, and one 
grandchild, and a host of warm friends.

 Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at one o'clock from 
the home and at 1:15 from the Evangelical church, conducted by Rev. E. 
Countryman.  The Hampshire Lodge of Odd Fellows, of which Mr. SAMUELSON 
was a member will assist.


This was transcribed from the Hampshire Register.

Contributed by: Gretchen Johnson - gretcher@earthlink.net - on 29 Jul 2000


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