Civil War Veteran
1st Ind Cav
The Caldwell News
Caldwell, Kansas
Thursday, June 29, 1893
page 5
A Sad Accident.
On last Friday evening about eight o'clock occurred one of the saddest accidents that are recorded in the annuals of Caldwell, and which resulted in the death of Reuben Bates, one of the pioneer citizens of this city. Mr. Bates was returning home in the evening and was walking through the Rock Island railroad yards, where at the time a great deal of switching of cars is done. He was walking between a couple of the tracks and an engine was pushing a freight car toward him a short distance off, on one of the tracks next to which he was walking. As he was so near the track some of the train men hollared to him to keep a little further away from the approaching cars, but in some manner he became confused and instead of moving away from them he stepped on the track directly in front of the approaching car and the engine, the car striking him and knocking him down and then passing over his body in a diagonal direction. He was terribly mutilated and died instantly. Kind hands carried the remains to his home, where his family, almost crazed with grief over the terrible accident, the news of which was broken to them as gently as possible, were waiting. The many friends of the afflicted family did all in their power to console them, but it seemed almost impossible for them to realize and reconcile themselves to the fact that their husband and father was dead. The funeral services were held at the home on Saturday evening at 6 o'clock, conducted by Rev. W.H. Hook, of the Central Christian church, after which the remains were followed by a large concourse of friends to the cemetery where they were interred. We offer our most sincere condolence to the bereaved family in their deep affliction.
Obituary.
Reuben Bates.
Born in Troy, Ind., March 18th, 1846, died June 29th, 1893, aged 47 years. Mr. Bates was married to Miss Hattie Funk of Kentucky in 1868, and came to Kansas shortly after. About 13 years ago he came to Caldwell. Bro. Bates leaves a wife and three children to mourn his loss. He served three years and six months in the Union Army, made a good and trusty soldier and was always at his post of duty. He once belonged to the South Methodist church and for years was faithful, but for reasons unknown to himself he gave it up. Something like one year ago he confessed the Savior and joined the Christian church. Bro. Bates was a loving and kind father, a faithful confiding husband. He indeed loved his family with a tender love, and always kind under the most trying circumstances and in return they loved him with true hearts, and the separation was sad indeed. Mr. Bates came to his death under very sad circumstances. The day was drawing to a close. The sun sinking behind the Western Hills. he was wending his way home where he loved ones were anxiously awaiting his return. Walking on the tracks of the railroad all unconscious of danger no doubt. The train struck him and he was instantly killed. Without a moments warning he was launched into eternity. May the infinite Father bless the widow and orphans, and comfort them in all of their sorrows. His funeral was preached by the writer, after which his body was followed to the cemetery by a large concourse of friends. The family have the sympathy of the entire community. W.H. Hook.
(transcribed by Judy Mayfield)
1st Ind Cav
The Caldwell News
Caldwell, Kansas
Thursday, June 29, 1893
page 5
A Sad Accident.
On last Friday evening about eight o'clock occurred one of the saddest accidents that are recorded in the annuals of Caldwell, and which resulted in the death of Reuben Bates, one of the pioneer citizens of this city. Mr. Bates was returning home in the evening and was walking through the Rock Island railroad yards, where at the time a great deal of switching of cars is done. He was walking between a couple of the tracks and an engine was pushing a freight car toward him a short distance off, on one of the tracks next to which he was walking. As he was so near the track some of the train men hollared to him to keep a little further away from the approaching cars, but in some manner he became confused and instead of moving away from them he stepped on the track directly in front of the approaching car and the engine, the car striking him and knocking him down and then passing over his body in a diagonal direction. He was terribly mutilated and died instantly. Kind hands carried the remains to his home, where his family, almost crazed with grief over the terrible accident, the news of which was broken to them as gently as possible, were waiting. The many friends of the afflicted family did all in their power to console them, but it seemed almost impossible for them to realize and reconcile themselves to the fact that their husband and father was dead. The funeral services were held at the home on Saturday evening at 6 o'clock, conducted by Rev. W.H. Hook, of the Central Christian church, after which the remains were followed by a large concourse of friends to the cemetery where they were interred. We offer our most sincere condolence to the bereaved family in their deep affliction.
Obituary.
Reuben Bates.
Born in Troy, Ind., March 18th, 1846, died June 29th, 1893, aged 47 years. Mr. Bates was married to Miss Hattie Funk of Kentucky in 1868, and came to Kansas shortly after. About 13 years ago he came to Caldwell. Bro. Bates leaves a wife and three children to mourn his loss. He served three years and six months in the Union Army, made a good and trusty soldier and was always at his post of duty. He once belonged to the South Methodist church and for years was faithful, but for reasons unknown to himself he gave it up. Something like one year ago he confessed the Savior and joined the Christian church. Bro. Bates was a loving and kind father, a faithful confiding husband. He indeed loved his family with a tender love, and always kind under the most trying circumstances and in return they loved him with true hearts, and the separation was sad indeed. Mr. Bates came to his death under very sad circumstances. The day was drawing to a close. The sun sinking behind the Western Hills. he was wending his way home where he loved ones were anxiously awaiting his return. Walking on the tracks of the railroad all unconscious of danger no doubt. The train struck him and he was instantly killed. Without a moments warning he was launched into eternity. May the infinite Father bless the widow and orphans, and comfort them in all of their sorrows. His funeral was preached by the writer, after which his body was followed to the cemetery by a large concourse of friends. The family have the sympathy of the entire community. W.H. Hook.
(transcribed by Judy Mayfield)
Civil War Veteran
1st Ind Cav
The Caldwell News
Caldwell, Kansas
Thursday, June 29, 1893
page 5
A Sad Accident.
On last Friday evening about eight o'clock occurred one of the saddest accidents that are recorded in the annuals of Caldwell, and which resulted in the death of Reuben Bates, one of the pioneer citizens of this city. Mr. Bates was returning home in the evening and was walking through the Rock Island railroad yards, where at the time a great deal of switching of cars is done. He was walking between a couple of the tracks and an engine was pushing a freight car toward him a short distance off, on one of the tracks next to which he was walking. As he was so near the track some of the train men hollared to him to keep a little further away from the approaching cars, but in some manner he became confused and instead of moving away from them he stepped on the track directly in front of the approaching car and the engine, the car striking him and knocking him down and then passing over his body in a diagonal direction. He was terribly mutilated and died instantly. Kind hands carried the remains to his home, where his family, almost crazed with grief over the terrible accident, the news of which was broken to them as gently as possible, were waiting. The many friends of the afflicted family did all in their power to console them, but it seemed almost impossible for them to realize and reconcile themselves to the fact that their husband and father was dead. The funeral services were held at the home on Saturday evening at 6 o'clock, conducted by Rev. W.H. Hook, of the Central Christian church, after which the remains were followed by a large concourse of friends to the cemetery where they were interred. We offer our most sincere condolence to the bereaved family in their deep affliction.
Obituary.
Reuben Bates.
Born in Troy, Ind., March 18th, 1846, died June 29th, 1893, aged 47 years. Mr. Bates was married to Miss Hattie Funk of Kentucky in 1868, and came to Kansas shortly after. About 13 years ago he came to Caldwell. Bro. Bates leaves a wife and three children to mourn his loss. He served three years and six months in the Union Army, made a good and trusty soldier and was always at his post of duty. He once belonged to the South Methodist church and for years was faithful, but for reasons unknown to himself he gave it up. Something like one year ago he confessed the Savior and joined the Christian church. Bro. Bates was a loving and kind father, a faithful confiding husband. He indeed loved his family with a tender love, and always kind under the most trying circumstances and in return they loved him with true hearts, and the separation was sad indeed. Mr. Bates came to his death under very sad circumstances. The day was drawing to a close. The sun sinking behind the Western Hills. he was wending his way home where he loved ones were anxiously awaiting his return. Walking on the tracks of the railroad all unconscious of danger no doubt. The train struck him and he was instantly killed. Without a moments warning he was launched into eternity. May the infinite Father bless the widow and orphans, and comfort them in all of their sorrows. His funeral was preached by the writer, after which his body was followed to the cemetery by a large concourse of friends. The family have the sympathy of the entire community. W.H. Hook.
(transcribed by Judy Mayfield)
1st Ind Cav
The Caldwell News
Caldwell, Kansas
Thursday, June 29, 1893
page 5
A Sad Accident.
On last Friday evening about eight o'clock occurred one of the saddest accidents that are recorded in the annuals of Caldwell, and which resulted in the death of Reuben Bates, one of the pioneer citizens of this city. Mr. Bates was returning home in the evening and was walking through the Rock Island railroad yards, where at the time a great deal of switching of cars is done. He was walking between a couple of the tracks and an engine was pushing a freight car toward him a short distance off, on one of the tracks next to which he was walking. As he was so near the track some of the train men hollared to him to keep a little further away from the approaching cars, but in some manner he became confused and instead of moving away from them he stepped on the track directly in front of the approaching car and the engine, the car striking him and knocking him down and then passing over his body in a diagonal direction. He was terribly mutilated and died instantly. Kind hands carried the remains to his home, where his family, almost crazed with grief over the terrible accident, the news of which was broken to them as gently as possible, were waiting. The many friends of the afflicted family did all in their power to console them, but it seemed almost impossible for them to realize and reconcile themselves to the fact that their husband and father was dead. The funeral services were held at the home on Saturday evening at 6 o'clock, conducted by Rev. W.H. Hook, of the Central Christian church, after which the remains were followed by a large concourse of friends to the cemetery where they were interred. We offer our most sincere condolence to the bereaved family in their deep affliction.
Obituary.
Reuben Bates.
Born in Troy, Ind., March 18th, 1846, died June 29th, 1893, aged 47 years. Mr. Bates was married to Miss Hattie Funk of Kentucky in 1868, and came to Kansas shortly after. About 13 years ago he came to Caldwell. Bro. Bates leaves a wife and three children to mourn his loss. He served three years and six months in the Union Army, made a good and trusty soldier and was always at his post of duty. He once belonged to the South Methodist church and for years was faithful, but for reasons unknown to himself he gave it up. Something like one year ago he confessed the Savior and joined the Christian church. Bro. Bates was a loving and kind father, a faithful confiding husband. He indeed loved his family with a tender love, and always kind under the most trying circumstances and in return they loved him with true hearts, and the separation was sad indeed. Mr. Bates came to his death under very sad circumstances. The day was drawing to a close. The sun sinking behind the Western Hills. he was wending his way home where he loved ones were anxiously awaiting his return. Walking on the tracks of the railroad all unconscious of danger no doubt. The train struck him and he was instantly killed. Without a moments warning he was launched into eternity. May the infinite Father bless the widow and orphans, and comfort them in all of their sorrows. His funeral was preached by the writer, after which his body was followed to the cemetery by a large concourse of friends. The family have the sympathy of the entire community. W.H. Hook.
(transcribed by Judy Mayfield)
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