Fort Dodge Messenger, Tuesday, December 17, 1901

The Grave

John Holbrook Sr. died at his home, on North Tenth street, at 8 o’clock on Sunday morning, of paralysis of the heart. the deceased had been sick some time, having suffered a stroke of paralysis some time ago, and the death was not unexpected. The funeral will be held on Tuesday after noon at 2 o’clock from the residence. Rev. C.H. Remington will conduct the funeral exercises.

Mr. Holbrook was well known in Fort Dodge, where he had lived for many years, and the news of his death will bring sorrow to many friends. He leaves a wife and two children, John Holbrook Jr. of Manson, and Mrs. Milchrist of Sioux City.

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The funeral of George McNett, whose sad death as the result of an accident, occurred on Tuesday, was buried from the Sacred Heart Catholic chuch at 10 o’clock Friday morning. In spite of the biting cold, a large number of the friends whom the dead man had made during his years of residence here, were present at the church, and the floral tributes were many and beautiful, including one elaborate piece from the members of the order of Locomotive Firemen, of which the deceased was a member, who attended in a body.

Impressive funeral services were conducted by Father Heelan, and many followed the body to his last resting place in the Catholic cemetery.

The sympathy of many friends goes out to the grief-stricken widow, into whose happy home life the rude hand of death has so suddenly broken.

The pall bearers were chosen from the number of Mr. Mcnett’s fellow employees.

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George McNett on Find a Grave

The Evening Messenger, Dec. 11, 1901
George M’Nett is killed
Fireman on Central Meets Terrible Fate on Tuesday
Thrown Under Car Wheels
Struck by Bridge and Thrown to His Death. Make His Home in This City

When passenger No. 4, on the Central pulled into Fort Dodge at 11 o’clock this morning, it bore a sad burden, the mangled body of Fireman George McNett, who full of the vigor of healthful manhood, left the city on freight No. 51, early Tuesday afternoon.

Mr. McNett was killed at a bridge not far from Brogan, a little station just the other side of Wall Lake. He was thrown from the engine, and either fell, or was drawn by suction, under the wheels, which mangled the body terribly before the train, which was running at a rapid rate, could be brought to a stand still. As nearly as can be learned, Mr. McNett was leaning out of the cab for a drink of water from the tank, when the train came to the bridge. He was stooping, but the bridge was low and struck him, throwing him from his hold and hurling him to his death under the iron wheels below. Death must have been instantaneous.

Engineer Clarke brought h is train to a stand still as quickly as possible, and the mangled body was picked up and taken on board the train. John Fox, a fireman who was on the train learning the route, fired the train into Omaha. Mr. McNett spent his boyhood days in this city and had been living in Fort Dodge two years, having moved here from Livermore. During this time he has been in the employ of the Illinois Central railroad, and has made many friends among the railroad boys. He was a careful man, and one who seemed in little danger of a death such as befell him. He was married and leaves a wife and little daughter, Bessie, five years old. Mrs. McNett is almost prostrated by the shock, but is bearing up under it as well as could be expected.

Mrs. McNeil, the mother of Mrs. McNett, who has been visiting her daughter, Mrs. Clint Githens, in Des Moines, has been summoned by wire, and arrived this morning, accompanied by her daughter, who will remain until after the funeral.

Mr. McNett was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, and was insured in that order for $2,000 ($3,536.45 today). He was a member and faithful attendant of Sacred Heart church. He was 30 years old.
His companions on the road will have charge of the funeral, which will probably be held from the Sacred Heart church. The time cannot, as yet, be definitely announced.