The Chariton Herald of Nov. 3 noted his passing in a brief item, but a more complete account of his life and death was published in The Democrat. Unfortunately, no copies of The Democrat from later than mid-June of that year survive and back files of The Patriot for 1892, which most likely contained an obituary, too, are missing entirely.
So I was gratified to discover the other day that the newspaper in the city nearest his 1877 birthplace, The New Castle (Pennsylvania) News, had transcribed and republished his Chariton Democrat obituary in its edition of Nov. 30 under the headline, "A Former New Castle Boy Meets a Frightful Death." Here it is:
+++
The Chariton, Iowa, Democrat contains the following account of the death of a young man who began life in this city and whose parents were well known here: "Harry Pyle, aged 22 years, and a son of Mr. I.S. Pyle, who lives a short distance east of Russell, was run over and killed by a train at Woodburn last Friday night. Young Mr. Pyle was a brakeman on the road, and the night of his death his train was going west, and at Woodburn he was sent out to open or close a switch, we did not understand which, and when his train got under way it was found that he was not on board. When the train backed up and search was instituted he was found in the yard badly mangled and dead.
There is a "pusher" kept at Woodburn to assist heavy trains up the grade just west of that place, and that was on the side track at the time, and the supposition is that in watching his own train he had stepped in the way of the "pusher" on another track and it was that which came upon him, causing death. There being no headlight to nor signal from the "pusher" and he looking out for another train, it is easy to understand how he was caught and the terrible result which followed.
The remains were brought to Russell Saturday morning on No. 10 and on Sunday afternoon there were funeral services at the Presbyterian church by the Rev. E.H. Sweet of the M.E. Church assisted by the Rev. A.W. Howell, of the Baptist Church, and which was attended by one of the largest gathering that ever assembled in the place. The sad event has cast a gloom over the whole community and the grief stricken parents and other members of the family are receiving the heartfelt sympathy of all in their terrible affliction through which they have been called to pass.
Harry Pyle was born near New Castle, Lawrence county, Pa., Sept. 22, 1870. Came with his parents to Iowa in December, 1877, and received a good common school education at the public schools in Russell. Being a young man of exemplary habits, he was widely known and universally esteemed by all his associates. About a year ago he was employed by the C.B.&Q. R.R. Co., and remained with it to the time of his death in the 23rd year of his age. He was regarded by the officials of the road and those with whom he labored as an honest and efficient employee.
+++
Harry's parents were Isaac S. and Jennie A. (Johnson) Pyle, whose farm was located just east of Russell. Isaac followed his son in death during 1897 at the age of 55, but his mother, Jennie, lived to be 90, passing during 1933. They are buried with their son in the Russell Cemetery.
No comments:
Post a Comment