Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-10-24
lNnRRK FPSKfYE


The subject of this sketch was born in
Antrim, in the north of Ireland, Jan.
1899, and came to America in 1879.
Having a good education, he engaged
for sometime in teaching, but finally set
tied en- farm near Evansville, and made
it his home Here be lived till he was
the sole survivor Of his family; till he
saw the grave close over bis wife, three
soma and two daughters Two of his
sons came TO vigorous manhood, one fell
in youth, and the two daughters passed
away in infancy. Marrying q second
tine, be leaves now q widow to mourn
mis- sudden departure
A few weeks ago he went with Mrs
Erskine to visit some friends in Illinois
On their return they came to odiu (the
crossing Of the Illinois Central 4 Ohio
& Mississippi Railroads. to take the
train on the O. & M Railroad east to
Vincennes, While waiting at the depot
for the cars, the gentleman With whom
he was earnestly conversing, suddenly
started mp, saying, Here is our train
They went on board hurriedly, and had
gone severalsmiles before they discov-
cred that they we're on the Illinois Cen
trail Road, bound for Chicago. At the
frat station they stopped, to wait for the
/ evening train returning.
He was greatly troubled on account
Of the mistake he had made, and to Mrs
Erskine he remarked, several times
"There is fatality in this" This was on
Friday morning, October 18th. During
the day be was more than usually re-
served and thoughtful, and spent con
siderable time in reading the New Tesla
ment Scriptures II was known TO few
of his friends that for some time pas
be had derived great consolation from
our holy religion, and that he had firu
trust IN the worlds Rsdeemer.
On the evening train they returned
, and reached Odin at 81 pm. In goiuj
to a place of entertainment, where the
, would wait for the morning train to Vim
! cennes, they had to cross the track O
r the o. and NJ. Railroads A train (bOun'
Vest standing on the track at sbor
distance, aud having no loeomotiv
headlight, started suddenly in the darL
ness and without signal, and strue
Mr.. Erskine just as be was leaving til
r track. His left foo. was crushed, h
was thrown down, aud received sever
injuries in his side aud head As b
began to recover from the shock, an
was being raised upon the platform
he saw Mrs. Erskine near, and remark
ed: Did | not tell you there was som
fatality in this7' From the injuries tho
received be suffered until Sunday,
> O clock g. IN, when he calmly folded b
hands upon his breast and peaceful
sank to rest, closing bis eyes in the lost
last sleep.
For several years Mr.. Erskine ba
n spent much time in travelling, especial
' through England aud ireland crossing Ii
? ocean Eve times de also visited mar
n portions Of our own eoaRtry. 10 SON
Il places be prolraeted his stay until
amounted almost to temporary res
!. deHce. This was the case in Londo
!. aud on the ls's Of Jersey. Ia the
4 travels he made the acquaintance
many eminent statesmen, with whom
n kept up o correspondence to the tiuio
d his death
70 In early life he was a communicate
the church, and though after coming
n this country he never attached himss
Of TO any branch Of the church, yet he vi
q arm believer in the truths and prime
IN pies of religion In his dealings vi
n men be was strictly uprigh. and consC
Al entious, and no one ever found oeeasic
N to call in question bis integrity. In &C
n Of benevolence he was known, bur n
sr so we'll by the world as by those who r
ceived his charities, and many there a
n. who have been blessed by his kindne
y. AID iibsrality, who will now mourn Il
IN loss of benefaetor.
Long will his memory be cherished |
n. a large circle of friends, both at hon
~ and abroad. And be will be remembs
IN ed as the worthy citizen, the intelligsl
traveller, the high toned Christian &c
tlsman, the pure patriot, and the frier
lg Of the poor.