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Submitted: 1/30/13 • Approved: 2/2/13 • Last Updated: 2/5/13 • R824210-G0-S3
Spanish American War
September 2, 1876 - September 1, 1907
*Obituary
Rogers Democrat
Wednesday, September 4, 1907
OPDYKE, Jake - Jake Opdyke, one of Rogers' best known and most popular young men, was fatally injured Saturday evening on a Frisco work train and died at 4 o'clock Sunday morning in the Frisco hospital at Springfield. Jake had for several months been working with the Frisco bridge gang and the past week they had been making some repairs near Elkins in Madison county, on the St. Paul branch. The men were living in the cars and at the time of the accident the train was headed for Fayetteville. Jake was in the box car, used as a diner, and when the cook complained because some of the boys were not ready for supper, Jake volunteered to go out and call them. The men were scattered along on top of the cars and Jake swung himself out at arm's length from the iron ladder near the top of the car to call them. Just then the train flashed over a bridge and Jake must have been looking back at the time, for a heavy timber struck him in the head. He lost his hold on the ladder and fell through the bridge supports to the rocks beneath, where he was found unconscious a few moments later by his comrades. The back of the head was so badly crushed that it was realized at once that there was little hope for his recovery but it was decided to give him every possible chance. He was taken to Fayetteville and sent to Springfield on the Cannon Ball but they could do nothing and he died a few hours after his arrival there. The body was brought back to Rogers Sunday night and funeral services were held at the Baptist church Monday afternoon at two-thirty o'clock, Rev. Jordan officiating. The pall bearers were all members of the Rogers Hose Company, of which the deceased had long been a member and of which he was one of the chiefs. He was also a Woodman and a number of members of that order were present. Mr. Opdyke would have been thirty years old had he lived until Monday of this week. He was born in Missouri but had lived in or near Rogers the greater part of his life. For a number of years he was a partner of his brother, Ed, in the dray business. When the latter moved to Oregon a number of years ago Jake remained in the business with various other partners. Feeling that a change would benefit his health he sold out some months ago and entered the bridge work but was planning to quit as it kept him away from home so much. He was one of the volunteers from here during the Spanish-American war but got no farther than Chattanooga. He was married seven years ago to Miss Frankie Lunsford of this city and they have three children. The untimely death of the husband and father has left desolated and heartbroken one of the happiest little homes of Rogers and they have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community. Mr. Opdyke was a brother-in-law of Mayor Dalton and of Will and Rube Lunsford of this city.
Contributed on 1/30/13 by wfields55
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Record #: 824210