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Submitted: 9/30/16 • Approved: 10/1/16 • Last Updated: 10/4/16 • R1155950-G1155950-S3
Henry
Was 27 Yrs. 8 Mos. and 6 Days
William
Was 25 Yrs. 8 Mos. and 28 Days
They were killed Friday, October 14, 1898
*Obituary
Gentry Journal-Advance
Friday, October 21, 1898
GANN, Henry - Decatur has again been the scene of a frightful railway collision in which three lives were lost and several others seriously hurt. The north-bound local freight last Friday morning was run into by a single engine from the north at a curve in the road near the Blair trestle about a mile north of Decatur. The collision was caused, it is said, by the stopping of the engineer's watch on the south bound train, which he had not discovered and was running off time. The engines were damaged almost beyond repair, several empty box cars smashed into kindlings and the loss to the company is considerable. The saddest part of the unfortunate accident is the loss of life. Will and Henry Gann, brothers, who have resided at this place for about two years, were supposed to have been riding in a box car and were killed outright, their bodies being horribly mangled. They had started to Missouri to secure employment. Henry's right arm was cut off below the elbow and both his legs broken. Will's skull was broken, his face badly bruised and his legs and hip broken. The remains were brought down Friday night by W.D. McGaugh and Rev. R.C. Kemper and were interred Saturday afternoon. Both of the young men leave wives, father, mother, brothers and sisters to mourn their untimely death. The parents of the deceased were stricken with grief. The sad occurrence has thrown a shade of gloom over the whole community. The Gann boys came here from Roller's Ridge and were hard working, honest and enjoyed the respect of all who knew them. The fireman on the south bound engine received serious injuries from the effects of which he has since died. The engineer on the same train had an arm broken and received internal injuries.
Contributed on 9/30/16 by wfields55
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Record #: 1155950