Orval Brown was struck and killed about 9:15 last Wednesday evening by the passenger going south at the railroad crossing near Coffman. In company with Monroe Allen, Mr. Brown had taken a load of cattle to South Omaha in the morning, and they were on their return. When nearing Coffman, where the wagon road runs parallel with the railroad before it makes the crossing, there was a line of boxcars setting on the switch, and as the railroad makes a curve around a hill near the crossing, they did not see the train until it was too late. The team was on the track and when they were caught in the glare of the headlight the horses became unmanageable and refused to budge out of their tracks. The engine struck them square, cutting one horse in two and threw the other out across the track where it died in a few minutes. The wagon was demolished. Mr. Brown was killed instantly, his skull being fractured and his chest caved in. Mr. Allen was thrown across the track and was considerably bruised up about the legs, though not seriously. He was taken to Omaha and sent to the hospital, but was able to be out the next morning and came home. His escape was miraculous. Orval Brown was born in this county Jan. 19, 1876, and died Oct., 1910. He was married Sept. 26, 1892, to Miss Alma Phillips, who died Oct 19, 1907. To this union one child was born, a daughter, Ada, aged 12, who survives them. He also leaves a father and mother, a brother and two sisters. Mr. Brown was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, in which lodge he carried $1,000 insurance. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Chas. P. Lang from the residence at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon, and at the grave the body was taken in charge by the Modern Woodmen, who conferred the ritualistic work of the order on the dead. Mr. Brown was well and favorably known in this community and numbered his friends by his acquaintances, who were greatly shocked to learn of his untimely demise. The Tribune, along with his many friends, extends their deepest sympathy to the bereaved family in this this hour of sorrow.

#2-12 Oct., 1910 - The Pilot - Orval Brown

An unusually sad accident occurred down at Coffman at about 9 o’clock last Wednesday evening when the engine on the evening passenger train to Omaha struck the lumber wagon which Orval Brown and Monroe Allen were coming home in, and Mr. Brown was almost instantly killed. Mr. Allen was somewhat bruised but wasn’t seriously hurt. Both horses were killed also, and the wagon utterly demolished. Mr. Allen’s escape was marvelous for he was knocked high into the air and fell on his head and shoulders. He was picked up and taken in to Omaha with the dead body of his companion, but was able to come back with the body the next day little the worse for wear. They had taken a cow down to south Omaha and had on two extra sideboards, making it very difficult for them to jump out of the wagon. They were standing up and the team had just stepped upon the track as the train swung around the curve and the headlight of the engine flashed into the horses' eyes. They were blinded by the light and refused to move either way until the engine moved them to their death and also the death of their driver. The funeral was held at the home of the young man’s father, Duane Brown, where he had been living with his little girl since the death of his wife about 3 years ago, at 2 pm. Saturday, Rev. Lang officiating. After the service the M.W.A. lodge of which deceased was a member took charge of the remains and marched in a body to the cemetery where the regular burial service was read. There was a large crowd in attendance at the funeral which showed something of the esteem in which Mr. Brown was held. He had a $1,000 policy in the M.W.A. and it will help to care for his little daughter, who is now an orphan at the tender age of 12 years. Mr. Brown was 35 years of age and had been in the lodge for about three years.

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

Find a Grave Memorial #113534220