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 sOth) THE ARGUS an
nounced that John B. Watkins, sIpeiin'
tendant of the Iowa Division OF lne oni0"-
go 4 Northwestern Railr'Hu' nau Doen
killed by an accident, fha' U0'u'i'u 9arV
that morning, aboys two mics west Oh Oe-
dar Rapids.
II .nns.y- chat Albert Keep, President
of tha Ia, Marvin Hughitt, General Su-
nsr;. sendent formerly of this city, Col.
rowe, ex-Division Superintendent, and
Superintendent Watkins, had been to Coun-
Gil Bluffs on a 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 point just west of what is known
as ''the hill 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 a 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 go the sand on
the rails-but it was too late; he could
not stop his train All this time Mr.. 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 poSslble-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 sleeping 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 cars SO that
il 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. He
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. 1t was
not until about eleven clock that his body
was taken from the wreck, and then the
remains were placed on a special train aud
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 1862
afterwards serving in various other ca
pacities on that and other roads. The
war found him in the service Of the c.. b.
X q at Aurora. In August. lS62, he en-
listed in the S9th Illinois Infantry and was
elected First Lieutenant of Co T.. After
reaching the field he was promoted u
5 Majurship, and detailed for service on Gen.
Gruysels staff His last engagement was
the battle of Stone River-atter which,
having served with credit for three full
years, he resigned his commission, and
; went into the employment Of the Chicago
4 X Northwestern at Chicago In 1866 he
, was sent To Clinton as master of transpur-
tatl0n. Before long he was appointed As
sisiant Superintendent OF the east Iowa
Division under Col Howe, thence to the
tnll superinteudency of the same division
and in 1872 10 the SUPPLEMENTARY of
the entire Iowa Division. He leaves a
wife and five children-the latter ranging
in ages from ten TO fifteen years. There
was insurance on Mr. Watkins life to the
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 will
be deeply felt by all who knew him. as well
/ as by the corporation he SO faithfully served