The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-02-15
FOUND DEAD
IN HIS BED
Pioneer Santa Fe Conductor
Passes Away Suddenly.
OLD SETTLER IN WICHITA
Spirit of James ServiSS Fled
at Ottawa.
RELATIVES ARE NOTIFIED
Deceased Took First Train
South of Wichita.
RELATIVES ARE NOTIFIED

James serviss. one Of the pioneer con-
ductors on the Santa Fe system is dead.
He was found dead in his bed at his home
at Ottawa yesterday morning and had
been dead several hours. Heart disease
was the cause
James Serviss, odd jim" as he was
called by the railroad men lived in Wich-
ita for nearly thirty years. He was here
when the Santa re commenced to build
the line south of this city and was the
conductor Of the work train while that
road was building When the line was
completed he was gfven d regular ruI~>>nd
for many years collected the tickets OF
the passengers between this city and
Caldwell, Arkansas City and other points
south.
When the Santa Re began operating the
Wichita and Western he was put on the
Pratt run where he served for some
years.
When he became incapacitated for ser
vice as a conductor he was made a flag
man at Newton. He shut the gates there
for TWO OF three years and was finally re-
moved to this city and placed in charge
of the Douglas avenue crossing. That
WAS in the Gay Nlltl 4 llLtAE GGDiu SLoOu
on the edge of the pavement on the north
side OF Douglas avenue, and Mr. Ser
viss raised and lowered the gates with
big crank
Four or five year ago the company
built a watch tower on the north side of
Douglas avenue, but between the tracks
so that the gatekeeper could have a bet
ter view of the street and could also see
the trains approaching. Mr.. Serviss was
so big that the company had to make the
man hole into the tower nearly double the
size it was first constructed in order TO
give him room to get up TO his levers.
Mr.. Serviss did not occupy this position
long. The climb up and down INTO the
tower affected his heart and be was com
PEELED TO give it mp and in exchange was
given the position Of hagman at Ottawa
where he has been for the past three
years.
AIr. Serviss and his family lived while
here at 1856 North Emporia. He had a son
and a daughter. The son is a telegraph
operator near Amarillo. Texas, at least
that is where he was last heard from
by people who knew him. The daughter
Is Mrs. John + Corbin and lives at 1912
South Moseley avenue Mr.. Corbin is a
barber and works ia the shop at 227 East
Douglas avenue.
The daughter was notified Of her faith
ef uedln ny telegrapn early yesterday
morning and she and her husband left in
the afternoon FOR ottawa
Mr.. Serviss was an ola soldier and when
h was first removed from the position
of conductor he went to the soldiers
home at Leavenworth. but after a few
years residence there he came back to the
railroad His wife died about seven years
Rgo- He was about siXty-four years Of
age.
AIR Serviss was one Of the most popu-
lar conductors of the Santa Te system in
his time He was known far and vic
and everybody has a good word TO say
Tor him. He was kind hearted. good ma
turcd and jolly. and was always a good
entertainer lie had a remarkable fond
ness for Wichita. as every one has who
has been here during the growth and de-
NeloTment of the city When he came
here on visits he would want to see every
body and l. required several DAYS for him
& sci around among his friends.