EMILY (BRADLEY) GRIFFIN
Killed by the Cars
Tampico Tornado October 7, 1893
Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - Great Great Grandgrandaughter
Last Saturday a telegram was received here, announcing the sad and shocking news that Mrs. L. L. Griffin, had been killed by the cars, at Dunham's Basin, and that her remains would arrive here Tuesday for burial. The news spread about town like wild fire, and our people were greatly shocked and grieved at the sad tidings.
Tuesday evening a large crowd of our leading citizens were at the depot, when the passenger arrived to meet the sorrowing and grief stricken husband, and to assist in any way they could, and to extend their sympathy to the bereaved husband. It was a sad sight to behold, and tears of sadness and grief dampened many a cheek. What a contrast there was at that meeting to the one of a few months ago, when, with joyous mirth they bid their friends here good bye, as they took the train for the east, full of pleasant expectations and happy thoughts of the good times in store for them in the home of their childhood, amid relatives and old and tried friends. The return, how sad, how different. One hushed in death; the other bowed down in sorrow and grief. The picture is too sad a one to dwell upon.
The remains were taken to the home of Mr. Griffin's that evening and on Wednesday, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon the funeral took place in the M.E. Church, Rev. G. A. Wells officiating. The funeral was largely attended, the church not being large enough to hold all who sought admittance. The remains were laid at rest in the Tampico Cemetery.
Mrs. Emily Bradley Griffin was born at Schaghticoke, in Rensselaer County, New York, May 26th, 1843; died, Sept., 30, 1893. She at the age of 3 years, moved, with her parents, to Bennington County, Vt., and nine years afterward to Warren County, N.Y. She married Lewis L. Griffin, Jan. 29th, 1860. After marriage they resided in the towns of Bolton and Chester, Warren County, N.Y., for five years, and in 1865 came west, and settled in Sugar Grove, Kane County, Ill. After a year's residence they removed to Bristol Township, Kendall County, this State, thence to Plano, and afterward to Tampico, Whiteside County, Ill., where they have since resided. She leaves a husband and three children, one son and two daughters, and one brother to mourn her loss.
Mrs. Griffin was a woman respected by all who knew her, a loving wife and a kind and indulgent mother, a kind and thoughtful friend and neighbor. She was always pleasant and her aim was to make those about her happy and in doing so she was happy herself. She was a leader in the circles in which she moved. At the time of her death she was Senior Vice-President of the W.R.C., and the corps attended her funeral in a body, to show the respect and esteem they held for one they honored and loved.
Rest, true, kind heart,
Far from all griefs apart!
That which hath ladened thee
Lightened at last, and thou art free!
Far from all ills apart,
Below we give an account of the sad accident as published in the Morning Star, of Glens Fall, N.Y.;
Two Lives Crushed Out
Twenty-eight years ago Mr. and Mrs. Louis L. Griffin left their native town of Bolton, and sought a new home in the west. They located at Tampico, Ill. Young, vigorous and industrious, they started out full of hope, adapting themselves to the surroundings in that then unsettled country, and determined to make a success of their venture. Their industry found its reward, and in their declining years surrounded by their children, and in possession of an abundance of this world's goods, they felt that they had earned a rest. A few months ago they left home for a visit to the friends and scenes of their childhood in the east. They spent considerable time with relatives in Bolton, Glens Falls and Minerva, and latterly were guests of Mr. Griffin's brother, Daniel K. Griffin, of Kingsbury.
The Ill Fated Journey
Saturday morning the two brothers and their wives started for Argyle to spend the day with Daniel's son, Amos Griffin. The two men rode ahead in a buggy. Their wives followed a short distance behind in a carriage. Mrs. Louis L. Griffin handling the reins. They reached Dunhams Basin about 10:40. As the men were driving across the railroad tract at that place they were startled by the warning whistle of a locomotive. Looking down the track they saw the northbound mail train thundering toward them at a high rate of speed, and only a few rods distant. When they got across Mr. Louis L. Griffin turned around and waved his hand to the women to hold back. They either could not hold their horse, or made a miscalculation as to the distance, and the next instant they were on the track directly in front of the train. The locomotive struck the carriage and carried it and its occupants a hundred feet up the track. The horse was uninjured, and ran to the house of Amos Griffin, whither the victims were bound. Louis L. Griffin was the first to reach the scene of the accident. He came to his brother's wife first, and saw that she was dead. Hurrying to where the body of wife was laying, eight or ten feet further on, he sat down and placed her head in his lap. She, too, had been killed instantly.
A Sad Spectacle
The spectacle of the two brothers, standing over the mutilated remains was an indescribable sad one. The train had stopped, and the remains were taken to Gay's Hotel, near by, and the Coroner and Undertaker were sent after. An inquest was held in the afternoon. Louis L. Griffin was the first to testify. He said: "I am fifty-nine years old today; my residence is in Tampico, Ill.; my wife, Emily Griffin, was fifty years old; my brother's wife was named Nancy Griffin; we were driving east on the road at Dunhams Basin; my brother and I were together; our wives were driving about three rods behind us; the train was almost on to us before we heard it; we got across the track; I turned around and motioned to the women to stop; my wife was a good horse-woman, but I do not think she could stop the horse; I saw the train strike the carriage, and said 'they are killed;' I ran back; saw Daniel's wife first, and saw she was dead; then ran to my wife, hoping she was alive; I took her head in my lap and found that she, too, was dead; my wife's body was lying between the two main tracks; the bodies were about eight feet apart; I did not hear the bell; heard the locomotive whistle when the train was close to us; the whistle might have sounded before, but I did not hear it; the wind was blowing strong from the north, against the train; our horse was frightened; theirs did not seem to be; the crossing is a dangerous one."
Card of Thanks
To the kind friends and neighbors, who so kindly gave their assistance and sympathy, in the sad hours of our bereavement of the death and burial of our wife and mother, we extend our earnest and heart-felt thanks. Their kindness will ever be most kindly remembers.
Lewis L. Griffin and Family
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