Untitled Document

The Geneseo Republic

6 March 1874

N.H. Anderson Killed by Train in Bureau Junction, Illinois

Mr. Nathaniel H. Anderson, a prominent and wealthy farmer of Phenix township, and Master of it grange was instantly killed by being run over by an engine and tender at Bureau Junction on Monday evening last. Mr. Anderson was on his way with several carloads of hogs and cattle in company with Mesas. John and Charles B. Smith, Mr. Painter, a part owner of the stock and Mr. S.A. Hunn, all of whom were present at the time of the terrible accident that resulted in his death for the particulars of which we are in debited to Mr. Hunn above named. It appears that Mr. Anderson and Mr. Painter left the stock yards in this place at the regular hour on Monday evening on the wrong train but were overtaken by the one containing their stock at Sheffield where they changed over. They found that their cattle together with those of Mr. Charles Smith were getting along badly.. The two cars had to be unloaded at Sheffield to save the live stock. When the trains arrived at Bureau Junction it was found that the two cars belonging to Anderson and Painter must be unloaded and left, the cattle were behaving so badly.

The stock yards at Bureau Junction are several rods drawn on the Peoria Branch to which the conductor proceeded to take the train containing the stock to be unloaded. Mr. Anderson was a good deal excited over his bad luck and perhaps was less mindful of his personal safety than he otherwise would have been. He started from the platform where the others were standing to follow the train down to the yards and Mr. Painter immediately after left to go with him.

Going along the numerous tracks it is supposed that Mr. Anderson did not notice the engine and tender that was backing up on the track behind him and before he or anyone else discovered his danger he was struck by the tender, thrown down and killed. When Mr. Painter came up the engine and tender had passed over Mr. Anderson and the unfortunate man was dead. It was found that one arm was nearly cut off, his head terribly smashed and other parts of his body bruised and mangled.

The body was taken into the baggage room where it remained until the next day when an inquest was held. P. Worrall, on behalf of the Masons and several neighbors went to the junction on Tuesday and brought the remains of the unfortunate man to this place, from whence they were taken to his late home, and burial under Masonic honors on Thursday.

Mr. Anderson was an honorable man, a good citizen, kind husband and father, and his untimely and terrible death will be deeply mourned and regretted by his friends, of which he has a large circle, as well as by his family and neighbors.

Submitted by Sylvia Whaley

Illinois Ancestors

011907