Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-06-28
NEPHEW OF LOCAL MAN DIES
IN EFFORT TO SAVE OTHERS


worth (aKns.) Post in regard to the
recent death of a nephew of our
townsman, Mr.. r. R. johnson, will
be of interest to many of our read
ers.
John E. Mason, 46 years old,
yardmaster at the Fort Leavenworth
of this city, was instantly killed
terminals and we'll known resident
shortly after $3.50 o'clock Thursday
afternoon when he was run over by
gondola car filled with sand,
which had broken loose and was
running wild", beause breaks fail
ed to work.
The body was removed from the
j.. A. Bush funeral home to the
family residence, 621 Kickapoo
street, this afternoon. Funeral SER
vices will be held at o'clock Sat-
urday afternoon from the Fort
Leavenworth chapel. Chaplain Frank
c. Rideout will officiate Interment
will be made in the National ceme-
terry. Military funeral services pro-
baby will be held at the grave side.
1t has been requested that all Fed
eral employees, who can possibly do
so, attend the funeral.
The death car" used to haul sand
for the construction of the new dis
culinary Guard company's barracks,
west of the D. B., was placed on a
siding by switch engine about 2
o'clock yesterday afternoon. About
an hour and half later the brakes
OF the car were released by two pri-
soners in order to allow the car to
coast to a position where wagons
could be drawn along the side of it.
" hen the prisoners attempted to stop
the car the breaks failed to work, ac-
cording to an account of the af-
fair told by those who witnessed the
accident.
The prisoners jumped from the
moving car at the command of the
guards and the gondola swiftly gain
ed momentum, tearing through the
fence enclosure and on down the in
cline. Mason, who was standing
about a quarter of mile below the
enclosure, saw the car coming to-
ward him. One of the garrison's
''dinkey" trains was coming up the
tracks, Immediately in the path of
the wild" car. Mason quickly
threw a switch, turning the rum
away car to an idle track. AS he
threw the switch, Mason attempted to
catch on the side of the car, evidently
intending to board it and try to set
the breaks, the witnesses said.
Mason's foot slipped on the iron
rung, which was. wet from rain, and
fell under the wheels of the car.
His skull was badly fractured, and
he received internal injuries, the ply
sicians reported. Death occurred in
stantly.
An investigation of the accident
was made by Capt. R. E. Haynes, Of
ficer of the day, and the body was
examined by Major Edgar King, hos
pital corps. Death was pronounced
accidental.
Mr.. Mason was born in Knoxville
Tenn, January IA, 1877. He was the
son of Prof. and Mrs. Charles Mason
Of Knoxville. Prof. Mason is ar in
structor at the University of Ten
nessee, at Knoxville. Prof. and Mrs
Mason were expected to arrive in
Leavenworth today.
Besides his parents, Mr.. Mason is
survived by his widow, Mrs. Grace
Marie Mason of the home address,
621 Kickapoo street. One daughter,
Esther Marie Mason, five weeks old,
also survived him.
Mr.. Mason came to Fort Leaven-
worth as civilian employe eighteen
years ago. He enjoyed large ac-
quaintance both at the post and in
this city. He was a member of the
Modern Woodmen of America.