Las Vegas Age, November 21, 2003, Clark County, Nevada  
Copyright © 2003 Gerry Perry <MissGerry@cox.net>

This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives.

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LAS VEGAS AGE
9/16/1911

DIED

SPARKLIN: In Elkhart, Indiana, August 28, 1911, Ira SPARKLIN, father of 
Mrs. E. MC CORMICK and grandfather of Pauline SPARKLIN, of this city.  
Mrs. MC CORMICK was summoned by wire and fortunately reached the bedside 
of her father before the funeral.  The Elkhart Truth pays the following 
tribute to the deceased:
    "Ira SPARKLIN, one of the oldest and best known of the Lake Shore 
engineers, died at Clark hospital this morning at 6:30 o'clock, aged 
sixty-seven years, two days, after an illness covering the last four 
years.  He retired from active service one year ago and gradually 
declined in health until six weeks ago he took to his bed and friends 
missed his appearance among them till the end.
    It was only after repeated efforts had been made by his relatives 
that he was induced to enter Clark hospital three weeks ago.  He became 
weaker each day, and life was despaired of from one week ago today.
    He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Ida MC CORMICK and Mrs. Ada 
DARLING, two sons, William E. and Walter H. and a sister, Mrs. Wilson 
BUTTS, of Goshen and brother, Alonzo YEOMAN of Dunlap.
    Ira SPARKLIN was born in Waterford, Ind., August 28, 1844.  At the 
age of fifteen he left home and began his railroad career.  At the 
outset he was a fireman on what is now a part of the Erie railroad on 
which he worked about three years.  He entered the service of the C.P. &
Day R.R. soon after merged into the L.S. & M.S.
    In July 1866 he became fireman on regular passenger No. 2.  He 
became an engineer in October, 1869, having for his first regular engine 
No. 79.  He was assigned to a passenger engine soon after and ran on the 
Twentieth Century Limited between Elkhart and Toledo until two years ago 
when he took an accomodation passenger run on account of failing health. 
 He continued in the service until September, 1910, when he was 
pensioned with several other old engineers.
    Mr. SPARKLIN had several thrilling experiences during his railroad 
career, but up till 1908 he had never had the misfortune of having his 
engine kill a person.  He was joined in wedlock to Jennie KNAPP of 
Susquehanna, Pa. in 1865.  They resided on Eden street until her death 
four years ago next November.  He was a kind and loving father and 
always boasted that he knew of no enemy.  He was always smiling and 
jovial, and he counted friends innumerable.
    Shortly before his death Engineer SPARKLIN clipped from an edition 
of Truth a poem entitled, "The White Lights" by Cy Warman and was very 
much impressed with the sentiment of the verse.  Upon special request 
the verses are herewith reproduced:
    The White Lights
    (By Cy Warman)

Oh, when I feel my engine swerve,
    As o'er strange rails we fare,
I strain my eye around the curve
    For what awaits us there
When swift and free she carries me

(rest cut off)