THE REPUBLICAN

 

August 25, 1882

 

The morning passenger train was detained from drawing up to the depot, in this city last Monday, on account of a freight train so long and heavy that it was impossible for the engine that was drawing it to back it onto the side track together with the cars already on the track.  Before the two trains could pass it was necessary to side-track the passenger train.  If this had been done at first much time could have been saved.

 

 

March 23, 1883

 

Improvements at the Central Depot in Waupaca – Sup’t Allen and the General Manager Finney of the W.C.R.R. were at Waupaca last Wednesday looking over the situation of depots and side tracks at this station and concluded they would have to give Waupaca better opportunities for doing business, as the business at this station has increased a great deal in the last few years.  They will move the freight depot between the main track and the side track; this will enable trains to load and unload freight on either side of the depot.  Another side track is to be laid which will run to the new warehouse of Jeffers & Penney which is to be erected this spring.  The Central company will have the thanks of our business, for every effort in behalf of bettering the shipping facilities.  We have got the boss town and the Central folks realize it and are beginning to appreciate it.

 

 

June 1, 1883

 TERRIBLE ACCIDENT

 

While Playing around a Freight Train, Eddie Larson is Killed – On Saturday last just after dinner the people of this city were startled and shocked to learn that Eddie, son of Mr. And Mrs. S. P. Larson, living near the depot, was killed by the cars.  The Republican scribe immediately started for the scene of the trouble and found the following circumstances:  It seems Eddie had had a passion, as little boys will have many times, living near a depot, for “catching a ride” occasionally while freight trains switched back and forth to let the passenger trains pass or to make up freight. His mother had many times warned him of the danger and punished him for doing so.  Mrs. Larson is a hard working woman and has to be away from home a great deal.  On Saturday she was cleaning the Danish Lutheran Church.  The father came home and got the children some bread and milk for dinner, and the little boy begged to have his shoes off a little while.  His father consented and he ran over to Mr. Wilde’s, who lives near the Grange warehouse and close to the side track to play with their little boy.  As the freight backed down to let the passenger pass there was a coal car stood opposite the warehouse.  The little boys thought it would be a fine thing to step from the platform on to the load of coal and take a ride.  They had no sooner got on the car when the engine backed down a little the sudden jar throwing young Wilde back on the platform and Eddie Larson down between the cars, the wheels passing over him severing his body and breaking one arm.  It was a ghastly sight.  His remains w ere gathered up and placed on a potato sack and some sacks laid over him while some parties when to notify the Mayor, the police Justice and Dr. Calkins, the railroad surgeon.  It was some time before they came and the body was removed to the house, and the mother of the little fellow urged to remain at a neighbor’s until the body was untangled from the crushed mass.  Dr. Calkins came and soon arranged things and placed the remains in a coffin.  His face was bruised a little but wore a peaceful look.  On Sunday at three o’clock the funeral took place at the Baptist Church, Rev. A. Jacobs preaching the sermon which was full of consolation and hope for the almost heart broken parents and little sisters.  When the choir sang “Safe in the arms of Jesus” it was very impressive.  The church was filled with people, among the many of the little schoolmates of Eddie.  Four little boys acted as pall bearers and there was a beautiful floral wreath placed on the casket.  A large concourse of friends, citizens and scholars followed the remains to the grave and in every way showed their deep grief and sympathy to the afflicted family over the sudden and sad taking away of a loved, bright and promising boy.  Eddie would have been seven years old the 19^th day of  August next.

Let the boys of this city remember this sad occurrence as an awful warning to them for all time, to keep away from the trains.