Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Williams, Sammie 1900
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net June 10, 2011, 3:25 pm

The Belding Banner, Thursday, December 20, 1900

One of the saddest accidents the Banner has ever been called upon to chronicle 
occurred Thursday afternoon, about 4 o’clock in which, Sammy the 8-year-old 
son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen A. Williams, was instantly killed.

Several boys were playing on the ice near the railroad track, which is just a 
few rods east of the passenger station, among them were Sammy and also an 
older brother.  They were chasing each other about, some of them taking after 
Sammy and ran up the bank and onto the track just as switch engine No. 144 was 
approaching from the west  to take water at the bridge.  He apparently didn’t 
see the engine at all, the other boys calling to him regarding his danger but 
either he did not hear them, or else in his fright was unable to move.  The 
engine struck him, knocking him down and he fell across the north rail, the 
cruel iron wheels severing the head and left arm from the body.  The engineer 
on the south side of the cab did not see him at all, the fireman, Henry Driese 
of this city, saw him run onto the track when they were about 10 feet from him 
and supposed he had crossed to the other side, until he saw his feet and legs 
protruding from the rails and he called to the engineer to stop.

The remains were removed to the undertaking rooms of Lapham & DeWitt and 
Justice Lapham empanelled the following jury for the purpose of holding a 
coroner’s inquest:  B. C. Curtis, Henry Gilmore, Chas. Eddy, A. Behrendt, G. 
A. Stanton and J. W. Fleming.  After a full investigation their verdict was 
that it was purely accidental and that the railway employees were in no way to 
blame.

The funeral services were held from the home Sunday afternoon, Rev. A. O. 
Carman of the M. E. church officiating and the burial took place in the old 
cemetery. 

Mr. Williams and family have been residents of the city less than a year, 
coming here from Lakeview, and he was employed as saw filer at the Belding-
Hall sawmill.  He purchased one of the new Belding houses and the family 
consists of the parents and six surviving children.

It was a dreadful affair and gave a great shock to the young lads and lassies, 
and indeed to the older ones as well.  It should be a lesson to the youngsters 
regarding the danger that constantly lurks around railway tracks.  You cannot 
exercise too much caution.

Mr. and Mrs. Williams requests the Banner to return their sincere thanks to 
the friends who rendered kind assistance and sympathy in this affliction, 
especially to the members of the Maccabee fraternity are they obligated.


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