Grandmother was born in 1861, and died in 1925 when I was 3 years old. My Dad - her son - was born 9 months after his Father was killed in a train accident, and Grandmother was caring for Ann, who was 10 months old at the time of her Father's death.

A story related to that tragic accident was just given to me by my cousin, Katherine McDonnell: My Grandmother was given a fur coat at Christmas, 1886 by my Grandfather, and she was overjoyed with it, especially since they were invited to a New Year's eve party, where she could show it off. But Granddad was called to work that evening.

When he arrived at the depot to report for work, it was reported he saw a greeting written above the names of those listed on the chalk board working that night,'HAPPY NEW YEAR.' He ran his fingers through the greeting, and said to his co-workers, "not for me." Just a few hours later, he was killed in a derailment.

This story appeared two days later in the Fort Dodge Messenger, Monday, January 3, 1887:

A fatal accident, in which one man lost his life, another seriously injured and several others were more or less badly shaken up, occurred on the Des Moines & Fort Dodge road Saturday evening. While freight train no. 7 was running at full speed, between Plover and Mallard, a broken rail was struck and the caboose was thrown off the track, the engine and rest of the train passing in safety.

Conductor Flanagan, who was in the caboose, rushed to the front platform and jumped off. He succeeded in reaching the ground safely and started to run, when a pair of trucks (railroad car wheels) became detached from the caboose and ran him down, killing him instantly. Brakeman John Lynch also jumped from the rear platform and sprained his ankle very seriously. Several passengers were in the car but though all were hurt somewhat, none were dangerously injured.

Conductor Flanagan was a young man and had been on the road for three or four years, with an excellent reputation. His home is Des Moines, where he leaves a wife and ten month old baby to whom the sympathy of every one is extended. The deceased is a brother of Mr. Dennis Flanagan who has a run to this city. The body was taken to Des Moines for burial, which will probably take place tomorrow.