Person:William Peirce (7)

A SAD ACCIDENT

Obituary Valparaiso Republic, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana, 1862.

Departed this life during the night of the eleventh of September. Mr .William Hays Pierce aged thirty years and seven days. Mr. Pierce has for perhaps two years been employed at the Department in this Village in connection with the Freight Department and on the evening of the eleventh he was on watch for a Freight train which was somehow behind time. The alternative of waiting alone at the Depot until 3 a.m or taking the Passenger train going South to meet the Freight was left him. And by invitation of the Engineer, he took the Passenger train at 9:30 p.m. in as good health and spirits as he ever enjoyed. When this Freight train arrived here reported that Mr. Pierce had attempted to get on board but had fallen down breaking his lantern and so had delayed, but no one supposed him hurt. The next Passenger train however, brought his body home, he having died from injuries received in his fall about midnight,and he was buried at 4 p.m. on the 12th by a large body of our citizens who manifested a heartfelt sympathy with the affected family.

The following facts with regard to the death of Mr. Pierce have been kindly furnished by Mr. Henry O. Hoyt, Conductor on C & CAL Railroad, toward whom the bereaved friends express the warmest gratitude for his kindness, who seeing Mr. P. fall immediately gave him all possible help--remained with him till he died and then sent his body to his family.

Mr. H., we learn that the Passenger met the Freight train at Lebhart Station--four miles north of Logansport, and then turned on the switch, leaving the freight on the main track. Mr. P. stood talking with the conductors of the two trains until the Freight whistled.

The Conductor immediately got on board the engine. Calling on Pierce to follow. But he to avoid the necessity of passing over the top of the train answered that he would wait for the caboose, which was the last car; but when the caboose came to where he stood it was in such rapid motion, he feared to take hold of it; he therefore started in immediately behind the train, running to obtain the velocity of the car before making the attempt and when within three feet of the caboose, he fell into a pit or culvert, which was without a guard, and struck against a beam on the opposite side from him, across his breast, fracturing one rib immediately over his heart and without doubt rupturing a blood vessel internally.

Mr. Hoyt ran to help and found him making the attempt to get out of the culvert, finding him seriously hurt he laid him down by the side of the track brought his train off the side-track and then found Mr. P. had gotten up and fallen across the road.

He seemed in great pain and begged Mr. H. to leave him--desiring not to be moved. He was placed in the baggage car on a bed made for him, and seemed to suffer intensely, possibly increased by the motion. He soon fainted. A surgeon on the train used all the usual restorations and he did revive to a measure, opened his eyes and breathed heavily. He was taken to Logansport in this condition, gradually sinking and before Mr.Hoyt could remove him from the baggage car, the surgeon pronounced him extinct.

The conductor placed a guard over the body, leaving others to have it sent to this place on the first train and the first intimation of disaster was brought to his family by the arrival of the body at the depot. Very seldom has this community been so moved by sympathy with the affliction as in this case.

It is not our purpose to attempt any particular analysis of Mr. Pierce's character. He was a man of more than ordinary vigor, both physical and mental. He always enjoyed good health and endured great fatigue. He was industrious and faithful to his employees. He was gifted with a peculiar vivacity and elasticity of mind, so that although most constantly unfortunate in matters of business, he never seemed discouraged and always stood ready to cheer the desponding. He possessed great power of wit, and will long be remembered for his compassionate qualities. He endeared himself to his friends exceedingly by his generosity of heart. All who knew his circumstances felt that he was more kind to the world than to himself.

It is the privilege of the writer to have known him almost from his childhood and he only states as an impression made from the intimacy of friendship that he has known few who possessed so many and various laudable characteristics. He was the youngest son of the late Andrew Pierce of this place. His mother Rebecca Pierce, remains to mourn his early departure. He was born in Cumberland County, Pa. educated chiefly in the college of Hanover. He married in this Village, Miss A. M. Skinner, who by this fearful providence is left with the care of three fatherless children, one son and two daughters.

Mr. Pierce united with the Presbyterian Church in this place January 1853 and up to the time of his death endeavored to maintain a true Christian character and during the past year, he attached himself very much to his Pastor as an efficient help in matters pertaining to the Church.

His large circle of relatives and friends will be rejoiced to hear of the convictions of those who have known him most intimately during the past year, that although so suddenly called the summons did not find him unprepared to go.

Indeed, from statements made by himself a few days since, then deemed singular by those who knew him, it would seem that foreshadowing of the accident which befell him rested on his mind.

"Surely Life is but a vapor which appeareth but a little while and then vanished away," S.O.L.

1. ↑ Obituary Valparaiso Republic, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana, 1862.
   Obituary Valparaiso Republic, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana, 1862.

   Text provided in Personal History

2. ↑ Birth: "History of the Big Spring Presbyterian Church, Newville, Penn., 1737-1898," by Gilbert Ernest Swope. Times Steam Printing House: 1898., in Birth Record.