The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-10-31
A HERO KILLED IN THE DISCHARGE OF
HIS DUTY.
Brief Sketch Of His Career.

Yesterday 1.-THE 30th) THE ARGUS an
nounced that John B. Watkins, Superln-
tendant of the Iowa Division of the Chlca-
20 & Northwestern Railroad, had been
killed by an accident, that occurred early
that morning, abop' two miles west OF Ce-
dar Rapids
II appear that Albert Keep, President
of the r..d, Marvin Hughitt, General Su-
per;. sendent formerly of this city, Col,
rowe, ex-Division Superintendent, and
Superintendent Watkins, had been to Coun-
Gil Bluffs on tour Of inspection, travelling
in Directors car Returning east their
car was attached to an express train, which
they intended to leave at Cedar Rapids,
and go up the Dubuque Southwestern TO
Anamosa, change to the Midland and thus
come to Clinton again. At half-past that
morning the engine Of their train broke
down at a point just west of what is known
as ''the hilr' heavy grade two
miles west OF Cedar Rapids.
When the train stopped, the conductor,
Mr. Raymond, stepped forward and found
that the detention would be somewhat pro-
! tracted. He knew that at Norway, twelve
miles west, they had passed freight train
No IA, also going east, and which was I'M
| doubtedly nearing them at rapid rate.
| He fastened TO the rear of his train and
| dispatched man TO flag the freight train.
But the latter did not go far enough back,
and the track was slippery and the freight
had got under such Roadway that it was
impossible to stop it within the ordinary
distance The engineer OF the freight saw
| the signal, and reversed his engine, whis-
tied down the brakes, let so the sand on
the rails-but it was too late he could
not stop his train. All this time MIR. Wat
kins had been active in getting everybody
out of the train. He went
through the sleeper and called into
every car telling people to hurry out-nev-
er mind their baggage or dress-get out on
the bank AS soon as poSsible-and when
everybody was out and safe from harm, the
freight came crashing through the rear
of the Directors car which in turn was
driven into the rear of the sic spiug car in
advance of it, and caught Watkins in the
act of getting off at the rear OF the train.
He was crushed between two ears 50 that
it was impossible to eXtricate him. He
was still conscious when found, and was
groaning in most heart-rending manner
At his audible request, water, and subse
quently brandy, was furnished to him
although it was difficult TO reach the doom,
ed man through the broken timbers, lie
lived about twenty minutes. saying but lit
tie his agonized companions being unable
to rescue him from his position before
, death released him from suffering. Ii wa:
not until about eleven o'clock that his body
was taken from the wreck, and then the
remains were placed on a special train and
conveyed to Clinton, where his distracted
family awaited them.
John A. Watkins was born in Connect
cut in 1880 He entered the freight office
of the Michigan Central in Chicago in lS5:
. afterwards serving in various other ga
pacities on that aud other roads Tn,
war found him III the service of the C.. i
4 q at Aurora In August. 1862 he Ell
listed in the seth Illinois Infantry and wa
elected First Lieutenant of Co. +. Aite
reaching the field, he was promoted Il
$ Majurship, and detailed for service on Gen
T. Gruysels staff His last engagement wa
the battle of Stone River-atter which
having served with credit for three ful
5 years, he resigned his commission. anl
5 went into the employment of the Chicag
a 4 Northwestern at Chicago In 1850 h
o was sent to Clinton as master of transpnr
tation Before long he was appointed As
: sistant Superintendent of the east low,
. Division under Col Howe, thence to thu
:, tnll SUPPLEMENTARY of the same division
: and in 1872 to the superintendency o
the entire Iowa Division He leaves
wife and five childreu-the latter RANGING
e in ages from ten TO fifteen wears Their
|, was insurance on Mr. Watkins life to tn
p amount of $1,000 He died like a hero
in the discharge of his duty, saving every
! body and losing his own life. His loss vii
\ be deeply felt by all who knew him. wei
t as by the corporation he 50 faithfully served