Obituary Record

Henry (Harry) Bascum
Died on 7/1/1911
Buried in Blair Cemetery

The Pilot July 1911

Harry Bascum

The body of Harry Bascum was found in the woods near the railroad track down about one and one-half miles south of DeSoto last Saturday noon. He was last seen leaving Ft. Calhoun at about 8 o’clock Friday evening having so much of the stuff that makes Ft. Calhoun prosperous aboard that he didn’t know a steam engine when he met it on the track, but he did meet Death.

This is the fourth victim of Calhoun’s “wide open” policy and my God have mercy on the poor, deluded men who thus traffic in death, and the voters who annually giver their license so to do.

Harry was a poor, weak fellow who lived in a hut on the Missouri River and caught fish with which to buy enough to eat and drink.

Coroner Pierce went down and brought up the remains in his auto and buried them in the Potter’s Field at the expense of the county.

The Pilot 19 July 1911

We Gladly Correct

DeSoto, Nebr., July 17, 1911

Editor Blair Pilot Blair, Nebr.

Dear Sir-- Will you kindly correct a statement made in your columns last week in regard to the remains of Henry Bascum being buried in the Potter’s Field at the expense of the county.

Up to the time of his death, Mr. Bascum, lived on a leased tract of land on the banks of the Missouri River, having built him a frame house and fitted the place up as a fishing resort. He had many city people who speak well of him and are very sorry that death should come to him in such a way. He was also respected by his neighbors, who have naught to say against him- only he was his self’s worst enemy.

The proceeds from the sale of the house, guns, boats, nets, tents, and chickens more than paid for his burial expenses.

By Request of Friends

The Tribune 12 July 1911

Date of Death: 1 July 1911 per Find A Grave.

Killed by the Train

Henry Bascom, an old fisherman who lives north of DeSoto, was killed Friday night while enroute to his home from Ft. Calhoun, but just how the accident occurred may never be known.

Bascom had been to Ft. Calhoun during the day and when he left town was intoxicated, and it is supposed that the old man lay down on the track and fell asleep and was struck by some train during the night.

Two boys, who had been fishing, discovered the body Saturday afternoon and notified the authorities and Coroner Pierce at once took charge of the body, bringing it to Blair, where it was prepared for burial and interred in the Blair Cemetery Monday afternoon.

In the dead man’s pockets were a bunch of keys, some tobacco and $1.40 in money. At his home several old letters were found in the search for something that might reveal the whereabouts of relatives.

One of them was from a sister, dated May 3, 1909,and postmarked Ninnekah, Okla., and the other was dated March 17, 1909, postmarked Aurora, Neb., and was written by a brother named George.

Coroner Pierce endeavored to reach them at the places named, but in answer was informed that the parties had removed from there leaving no address.

Bascom was a man about 40 years old, and had lived near the river at the point where he met his death for a number of years. He was a man addicted to the use of liquor and, as the road over which he traveled to reach his house led for some distance down the tracks, it is but natural that he should have met death in this manner.

Two Omaha schoolboys, John Aie (sp) 1415 S 13th, and Fred Smith, 1251 S 13th, coming down the railroad track, found the body of Henry Bascom, the well-known fisherman, lying dead in the weeds not far north from Moores Creek.

He had left Ft. Calhoun near 8 p. m. last night with some groceries and as usual walked up the track to reach his hunting camp on the bottoms and had, apparently, been hit by a train and killed immediately.

Dr. Curtis kindly took a party of us up. Coroner Pierce of Blair took charge of the body. His watch and money were all right and, apparently, the body had not been touched by anyone. Henry was perhaps 40 years old, had lived on the bottoms a long time and was a good hearted, merry fellow, but addicted to drink.

The Pilot July 1966

55 Years Ago (July 13, 1911)

Henry Bascom, fisherman living near DeSoto, was killed Friday evening when run over by a train. Two boys found the body Saturday.

Note: Death date taken from Find a Grave Potter's Field in Blair, Nebraska record.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair Nebraska.~~~

Printed in the Blair Pilot on 7/19/1911


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