William James, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
William James
From the Chillicothe, O., Register of the 23d inst., we glean the details of a fatal accident which resulted in the death of Mr. William James, a former resident of this county, and a brother-in-law of Russell Dorr, Esq., of this city. The Register says: "An accident attended with fatal results occurred Thursday evening, near the depot, to Mr. Wm. James, ex-chief of police of this city. Mr. James has been employed for some time by the M. & C. R. R. Co. as a private detective and watchman, it being part of his duties to keep an oversight at the depot grounds and prevent thefts of the company's property in that locality. About 7 o'clock, Thursday evening, while in the discharge of his duties, he was standing on what is known as the 'scale track,' upon which are placed the scales for weighing cars. While at the point indicated, a number of empty freight cars were shifted on the scale track for the purpose of getting them out of the way. The weather being wet and murky, the cars glided over the track with much less than the usual amount of noise, and came upon Mr. James before their presence was at all suspected, knocking him down and passing over his left arm and head. The arm was cut off and the head badly crushed. The accident was soon discovered, and the injured man conveyed to the residence of his son, Mr. Ben. James, near by, where he survived but little over half an hour. Before dying, he told his son that no one was to blame for the accident; that the cars came upon him before he either heard or saw them. Mr. James was 65 years of age. He was a vigilant officer, and watched the company's interests closely. While chief-of-police he won a well-deserved reputation for fearlessness and efficiency in the discharge of his duties."
-- Messenger.
Newspaper: Porter County Vidette
Date of Publication: February 4, 1875
Volume Number: 19
Issue Number: 5
Page: 3
Column(s): 5
Key to Newspaper Publication Locations:
Newspapers Published in Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana
Chesterton Tribune
The Tribune
Westchester Tribune
Newspapers Published in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Porter County Vidette
Practical Observer
Valparaiso Practical Observer
Vidette and Republic
Western Ranger
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Obituary/death notice transcribed by Steven R. Shook