BOY LOSES LEG UNDER CARS

MEMBER IS AMPUTATED, BUT ATTENDING SURGEONS HAVE DOUBTS

Blair, Neb., Dec. 15—at 4:30 yesterday afternoon as the south-bound way freight No. 15 on the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railway was leaving the station at DeSoto, five miles south of Blair, Gifford, the 12-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Freeman Tucker, ran out from behind the water tank and tried to jump on the train when he slipped under the wheels, which ran over the entire length of his right leg, cutting off the toes and part of the foot of his left leg. Doctors Bedal, Stewart, Palmer and Robinson were called by telephone from Blair and amputated the leg at 8 o’clock last night, taking it off close up to the body. In company with other children, the boy was returning home from school and stopped at the station as the train passed. His recovery is doubtful, as he is thought to be injured internally.

#2 Published in Pilot-Tribune, December 17, 1903

Last Monday evening as Gifford Tucker was returning from school, east of DeSoto, with other school children, they reached the depot about the same time a freight train did and as the train started to pull out, Gifford made an attempt to climb on but slipped and fell in such a manner that the wheels ran over his right leg length-wise and cut off a part of his left foot. Doctors amputated the crushed limb but the boy was unable to withstand the shock and died early Tuesday morning. He was a bright and promising lad of twelve years. The bereaved family has the deep sympathy of the community in their sad affliction.

The death of Gifford Tucker, as the result of being run over by the cars while trying to climb on while the train was in motion, should be another object lesson to the younger element who are so often found about the depots, climbing on and off the cars. It's a dangerous practice and parents should cooperate with railroad officials in putting a stop to the practice. The daily papers seldom go to press without an account of some boy being hurt by this morning as follows: Yesterday Claude Johnson, a boy about 14 years old was swinging on the side of a freight car while switching was being done. As the car ran by the stock yards the boy was knocked off by the cattle chute and a couple of gashes cut in the back of his head, another five inches long across his forehead, and his right hand was completely severed from his arm.

#3-17 Dec., 1903 - Blair Republican - Gifford Tucker

We have just received the sad news of the sudden death of Gifford, the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Tucker. While going home from school Monday night he attempted to take a ride on a freight train which had stopped at the depot. As the train moved on the boy was thrown from the car and received a terrible injury. He was carried to the home of George Hineline where he remained till four doctors were summoned. Death seemed apparent and at 10 o’clock he was whirled into eternity where pain and sorrow are no more. Gifford was a bright, curly headed boy and a favorite among his schoolmates, who will sadly miss him on their return to school. The Xmas funds which were raised for the entertainment by the school children will go for flowers as token of sympathy and love for the one who has left them. We deeply sympathize with the grief-stricken father, mother and brother. The funeral was Wednesday at 11 o’clock at Mr. George Hineline’s. Elder Lytle of Blair officiated.

#4- Printed in the December 20, 1968 Pilot-Tribune

65 years ago (December 16, 1903)

Gifford Tucker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Freeman Tucker, slipped onto the railroad track while returning from the DeSoto school with other children and a freight train ran over his right leg and left foot. He died following amputation.

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