Fred G. Mason, the general manager of the Charles Presbrey Manufacturing company was mortally injured in a terrible accident at the Locust street crossing over the Northwestern Thursday at 11:30 o'clock. Mr. Mason was run over by three freight cars and the switch engine, and his body was dragged from the Locust street crossing under the tender of the engine for nearly a block. His left arm was torn from the socket, his skull was badly beaten and fractured, his left ear was nearly severed from the face, there were several bad cuts over his eyes, his right foot was badly crushed and his whole body was terribly bruised. He was unconscious when taken from beneath the tender of the engine and did not return to consciousness for a moment. He was taken to the office of Dr. Frank Anthony where it was at once seen that there was no possible hope of sustaining life. He lingered for several hours breathing only in occasional gasps and the last breath came at 3 o'clock.
Mr. Mason had started from the office to go to dinner. When he got to the Northwestern crossing a special freight was passing through the city towards the east. He stood to await the passage of the train on the track next south. As he stood there the switch engine pushing two cars came toward him at a fast rate of speed from the west. The noise of the friehgt train kept Mr. Mason from hearing the approaching switch train. He was struck by the front car and thrown under the wheels. Both cars and the engine passed over his body and he was caught underneath the tender and dragged nearly to the Powers coal office.
Adam Ritel, the gateman at the Locust street crossing, saw Mr. Mason as he stood between the rails of the track on which the switch engine was approaching. Mr. Mason was on the sidewalk on the west side of the street upon the passage of the special freight. Mr. Rital says he called toMr. Mason, warning him of the approach of the switch train, but was unable to attract his attention. He frantically waved him back with his flag and did everything possible to warn him of his peril. He waved desperately to the crew of the switch engine but none of the men were looking in his direction and the noice of the freight train drowned his voice so that he could not be heard.
The head brakesman on the freight train saw the accieent and waved frantically to Engineer Ferris of the switch to stop at once. Mr. Ferris, not knowing what had happened, but realizing that something serious had happened, put ont he air brakes and stopped his engine as soon as it was possible for him to do so.
As soon as the engine was stopped a number of men ran swiftly to the assistance of the injured man. Ray Smith a driver of one of the Clavin coal wagons was the first to reach him adn assisted largely in getting Mr. Mason from under the engine. He and several others improvised a stretcher made of a box car door, and carefully placing the man upon it, brought him at once to Dr. Frank Anthony. Those who helped being bring the body to the office were George Clark, foreman of the Northwestern Fence gang, E.C. Preston, cashier for the Northwestern, Ray Smith, WIlliam Pollock and R.B. McNeil, a reporter for the standard.
The news of the accident spread like wildfire to all parts of the city and hundreds of people rushed ot the office of Dr. Anthony, to hear about the real condition of the injured man. Without exception everyone turned away from the office with saddened faces, for the news was given to them that it was impossible for their friend to ever speak again. Dr. Anthony took care of the injured man as well as he could, but it was impossible to make any examination until after death. The doctor knew, and his opinion was supported by all other doctors who were present, that there was no possible chance to save the life, and for that reason desired to make no examination as to the full extend of the injuries until death came.
Mr. Mason was a prominent member of the Sterling Commandery Knights Templar and a number of the warm friends in this order hurried to the office of the physician where they were able to give valuable assistance.
Dr. F.W. Gordon, a brother-in-law of Mr. Mason arrived, at the office soon after the accident happened and to him were given the painful duty of informing Mr. Mason's wife of the terrible calamity that has befallen her. Mrs. Mason received the shocking news with wonderful fortitude. Though it was thought best for her not to do so, she insisted on coming down to the office. She remained besider her husband for several hours, but was induced to return to her home before dissolution took place. She is grief stricken at her loss and is almost prostrate, but the fortitude she shows at this time proves her a brave and noble woman.
Mr. Mason has lived in Sterling all of his life. He was born here about forty-nine years ago. He was a son of the late Rev. J.T. Mason, who was for many years the beloved pastor of the Baptist church of this city and who died a few years ago at Amboy, and lies buried in Riverside cemetery. The mother of the deceased still survives him and since the death of her husband has been making her home with her son in this city. Beside his wife, Mr. Mason leaves a little daughter, Florence, who is nearly ten years of age. He also l eaves two brothers, Charles Mason of this city and William whose whereabouts is unknown at this time. Charles Mason is a traveling man and is nearly always out of the city, but he fortunately happened to be in town today.
Mr. Mason's life in Sterling has been above reproach. He was a man who had the highest respect and esteem of all who knew him. He has been connected with the firm of which he was general manager for the past thirty years or more, beginning his work there as an office boy at the time it was known as the Novelty Manufacturing company and was under the management of A.A. Terrill. His faithfulness and ability won for him rapid promotion and for many years he has held a high position with the firm and the utmost confidence of his employers. At the time of the illness of the late Charles Presbrey the entire business management was placed in his hands and when Mr. Presbrey died, Mrs. Presbrey, in accordance with the wishes of her husband, gave him the appointment of general manager of the instituion.
Mr. Mason has been for many years a member of the Sterling Knights Templar. He was a regular attendant at the meeting, and an enthusiastic member. He was a musician of far more than ordinary ability and nearly always presided at the organ during the meetings of the masonic order. For a long time he was the organist for the Congregational church he having resigned this position only a few years ago because his business obligations were such that they would not permit him to continue in the service of the church.
The entire city is shocked and deeply grieved because of the death of Mr. Mason and his surviving widow and little daughter, his aged mother and his stricken brothers have the heartfeld and most sincere sympathy of everyone who knows the family.
Sometimes I have to ask myself "why" I get involved in this type of story. But I always have to go looking for the background of someone who had to die so tragically.
I was able to trace Frederick all the back to his New York roots and a little bit beyond to his Rhode Island ancestry.
Frederick G. Mason was born 11 April 1853 probably in Washington Co NY. He was the son of Jerome/John T. & Diana (Greene) Mason.
I've found his father listed as John on Census reports and also as Jerome.
Luckily I found some help with this family on Pat Griffiths Genealogy Website. Between her pages and the
census records I've been able to create a life for this family. I was able to determine that Truman Mason (Grandfather of Frederick) was living in Barre Twp., Orleans Co NY in 1840.. I didn't find John/Jerome in 1840 - just too many of them
for me to determine if any one of them might have been him.. But I did catch up with Jerome in 1850 where I'll start.
1850 Greenwich, Washington Co NY
1860 Sterling, Whiteside Co IL
1870 Sterling 2nd Ward, Whiteside Co IL
1880 Sterling Dist 211 Whiteside Co IL Living on Market Street
1900 Sterling Whiteside IL
1910 Sterling 3rd Ward Whiteside IL
Frederick G. Mason & Addie E. Gordon were married in Whiteside Co. 23 August 1877. Addie continued to live in Sterling
for several years - she last appears on the 1910 census, age 58 with her 16 year old daughter Florence and her mother-in-law Diana Mason, who is now up in years.
It would seem that Fred & Addie waited a long time for the birth of their daughter. They were married 1877 but Florence didn't come along until 1894.
Jerome T. Mason 29 NY Baptist Minister
Diana L. Mason 25 NY
Edward L. Mason 01 NY b 25 Dec 1848 d 22 Jun 1852
** another son Henry F. Mason b 25 Aug 1850 d 10 Jun 1852
J.T. Mason 38 NY (1822) Clergyman
Diana L. Mason 32 NY 1828)
Fred G. Mason 07 NY (1853)
Eliza J. Mason 21 NY (1839?)
**Pat Griffith has her as daughter born 25 Apr 1856 died 6 March 1865. Age wrong here I suppose.
Charles Mason 11m IL (1860) b 18 Sep 1859 married Lizzie Parker 30 Apr 1885 (per Pat Griffith, but I couldn't find this marriage in Illinois)
Adelaide Brooks 21 NY (1839) Domestic
Jerome Mason 49 NY Minister
Diana Mason 44 NY
Fred Mason 19 NY
Charles Mason 10 IL
William Mason 3 IL (24 Feb 1867)
John T. Mason 59 NY Clergyman
Diana Mason 54 NY
Charles Mason 21 IL
William Mason 13 IL
Emma Benjamin 14 IL
Geo. Raycroft 30 OH
Frederick Mason NY NY MA
Addie Mason ME ME ME
Florence Mason IL NY ME
Diana Mason NY NY NY
** Ages were all splotched
Addie Mason 52
Florence Mason 16 daughter
Diana Mason 74? age unreadable mother-in-law
