1880 Missouri census, Knox County
Self Minor Clifton M 34 Kentucky
Son Alfred D Clifton M 2 Missouri
Wife Sarah A Clifton F 23 Missouri
------------
1900 Missouri census, Knox county
Head Alfred Clifton M 28 Missouri
Wife Nellie Clifton F 24 Missouri
Son Floyd D Clifton M 1 Missouri
------------
2 Killed at Schoolhouse Crossing
A.C. Clifton and Wife Met Horrible Death Friday While Returning Home From Memphis.—Result of Coroner's Inquest.
"In the midst of life we're in death." The truth of this saying proved true last Friday morning about 11:10 o'clock when Alfred Clifton and his wife, residing in the south part of this county were struck by the west bound Burlington passenger at the school house hill crossing and killed. Mrs. Clifton died instantly, but her husband lived—though unconscious—about forty-five minutes. The spring wagon in which they were riding was wrecked, one horse was killed and the other badly bruised. As if by miracle a little six months old babe, being held in it's mother's arms, escaped injury and when the parents were picked up by the train crew and passengers on the train the little babe was found unharmed in a shallow ditch under it's mother's feet.
In all our experiences in the newspaper business, which covers a period of twenty-four years, never has it fallen to our lot to chronicle a tragedy which appalled us as did the one in which father and mother were sent into eternity leaving five [should be six] orphan children to mourn their departure—the oldest being 12 years old and the babe but six months of age.
Mr. Clifton and wife came to Memphis on Friday morning to do some shopping, having made preparations to leave soon for Oquawka, Illinois. They loaded the goods into their vehicle at Jackson's store about ten or fifteen minutes before the accident. Among their purchases was a new hat for the mother, candy and clothing for the children and other articles of various kinds.
After loading the goods into their wagon they departed for home going out of town by way of the Edinburg road which crosses the railroad track at the foot of school house hill—a very treacherous and dangerous crossing as the above picture would indicate. At this point it is impossible because of the high bank on each side of the road to see an approaching train either east or west bound until you reach the crossing itself as will be seen by the testimony of Engineer Nichols and Foreman Welk.
The team of Mr. Clifton was trotting as it approached the track and it is our opinion and of many others, that the horses were frightened and Mr. Clifton could not control them. He undoubtedly would not have attempted to cross in front of the approaching train could he have brought his horses to a standstill. It may be he thought the train had passed by—it being about twenty minutes late.
The trainmen who saw the deplorable accident say Mr. Clifton at the time of the collision was trying his utmost to turn his team to the west side of the road in order to evade the accident but the animals being bronchos were self-willed and carried their driver and companion to a horrible death.
Mrs. Clifton's neck was broken and her skull fractured and the back of Mr. Clifton's head was crushed. Willing hands lifted both into the baggage coach and cared for the baby and the train was backed to the station.
Drs. Platter, Pile and Alexander were summoned and everything possible was done for Mr. Clifton but life ebbed away without him regaining consciousness.
The bodies were taken to the undertaking establishment of D.W. Payne and prepared for burial—the little babe being cared for by Judge and Mrs. McKee.
The father of Mr. Clifton, Minor Clifton of Oquawka, Illinois, and the mother of Mrs. Clifton, Mrs. Sweet of Adair County, were notified by wire of the sad death of their children and both arrived in Memphis on Friday evening to take charge of the bodies. The grief of the bereaved father and mother was heartrending—the son being an only child, who had on Monday before the accident returned from a visit with his father and had made arrangements to move to Illinois.
Five orphan children are left to mourn the tragic death of father and mother—their ages ranging from six months to 12 years. We understand that their grandmother, Mrs. Sweet will take them home with her. Her love for the little ones will keep them together—which is much better than having them separated from one another.
Mr. Clifton was about 32 years of age and his wife about the same age. They were married in Adair County about 13 years ago, moving shortly thereafter to this county where Mr. Clifton was born and raised.
Deceased was a poor man, but was rich in having the respect and friendship of his neighbors. He was industrious, frugal and honest and his helpmate was a woman of excellent character whose many kind deeds will forever be treasured by her acquaintances.
Misfortune however seemed to have followed Mr. Clifton throughout his life. A few years ago, while out gathering hickory nuts with his wife and children he fell from a tree and broke both legs. One ankle was crushed causing him to be a cripple—it being necessary after that mishap for him to walk on the side of his foot. One of the horses—the one killed—was borrowed by the couple to make the trip to Memphis on the fateful Friday.
Funeral services were held in the Christian Church at Greensburg, Sunday October 10, at one o'clock p.m., Rev. E.H. Wiley officiating. A large concourse of sorrowing friends were in attendance, taking that method of paying their tribute of respect to their departed friends and neighbors.
The REVEILLE joins with the people throughout the whole county in extending sympathy to the orphaned children and the bereaved parents of the deceased.
Memphis Reveille
Memphis, Missouri
October 14, 1909
Self Minor Clifton M 34 Kentucky
Son Alfred D Clifton M 2 Missouri
Wife Sarah A Clifton F 23 Missouri
------------
1900 Missouri census, Knox county
Head Alfred Clifton M 28 Missouri
Wife Nellie Clifton F 24 Missouri
Son Floyd D Clifton M 1 Missouri
------------
2 Killed at Schoolhouse Crossing
A.C. Clifton and Wife Met Horrible Death Friday While Returning Home From Memphis.—Result of Coroner's Inquest.
"In the midst of life we're in death." The truth of this saying proved true last Friday morning about 11:10 o'clock when Alfred Clifton and his wife, residing in the south part of this county were struck by the west bound Burlington passenger at the school house hill crossing and killed. Mrs. Clifton died instantly, but her husband lived—though unconscious—about forty-five minutes. The spring wagon in which they were riding was wrecked, one horse was killed and the other badly bruised. As if by miracle a little six months old babe, being held in it's mother's arms, escaped injury and when the parents were picked up by the train crew and passengers on the train the little babe was found unharmed in a shallow ditch under it's mother's feet.
In all our experiences in the newspaper business, which covers a period of twenty-four years, never has it fallen to our lot to chronicle a tragedy which appalled us as did the one in which father and mother were sent into eternity leaving five [should be six] orphan children to mourn their departure—the oldest being 12 years old and the babe but six months of age.
Mr. Clifton and wife came to Memphis on Friday morning to do some shopping, having made preparations to leave soon for Oquawka, Illinois. They loaded the goods into their vehicle at Jackson's store about ten or fifteen minutes before the accident. Among their purchases was a new hat for the mother, candy and clothing for the children and other articles of various kinds.
After loading the goods into their wagon they departed for home going out of town by way of the Edinburg road which crosses the railroad track at the foot of school house hill—a very treacherous and dangerous crossing as the above picture would indicate. At this point it is impossible because of the high bank on each side of the road to see an approaching train either east or west bound until you reach the crossing itself as will be seen by the testimony of Engineer Nichols and Foreman Welk.
The team of Mr. Clifton was trotting as it approached the track and it is our opinion and of many others, that the horses were frightened and Mr. Clifton could not control them. He undoubtedly would not have attempted to cross in front of the approaching train could he have brought his horses to a standstill. It may be he thought the train had passed by—it being about twenty minutes late.
The trainmen who saw the deplorable accident say Mr. Clifton at the time of the collision was trying his utmost to turn his team to the west side of the road in order to evade the accident but the animals being bronchos were self-willed and carried their driver and companion to a horrible death.
Mrs. Clifton's neck was broken and her skull fractured and the back of Mr. Clifton's head was crushed. Willing hands lifted both into the baggage coach and cared for the baby and the train was backed to the station.
Drs. Platter, Pile and Alexander were summoned and everything possible was done for Mr. Clifton but life ebbed away without him regaining consciousness.
The bodies were taken to the undertaking establishment of D.W. Payne and prepared for burial—the little babe being cared for by Judge and Mrs. McKee.
The father of Mr. Clifton, Minor Clifton of Oquawka, Illinois, and the mother of Mrs. Clifton, Mrs. Sweet of Adair County, were notified by wire of the sad death of their children and both arrived in Memphis on Friday evening to take charge of the bodies. The grief of the bereaved father and mother was heartrending—the son being an only child, who had on Monday before the accident returned from a visit with his father and had made arrangements to move to Illinois.
Five orphan children are left to mourn the tragic death of father and mother—their ages ranging from six months to 12 years. We understand that their grandmother, Mrs. Sweet will take them home with her. Her love for the little ones will keep them together—which is much better than having them separated from one another.
Mr. Clifton was about 32 years of age and his wife about the same age. They were married in Adair County about 13 years ago, moving shortly thereafter to this county where Mr. Clifton was born and raised.
Deceased was a poor man, but was rich in having the respect and friendship of his neighbors. He was industrious, frugal and honest and his helpmate was a woman of excellent character whose many kind deeds will forever be treasured by her acquaintances.
Misfortune however seemed to have followed Mr. Clifton throughout his life. A few years ago, while out gathering hickory nuts with his wife and children he fell from a tree and broke both legs. One ankle was crushed causing him to be a cripple—it being necessary after that mishap for him to walk on the side of his foot. One of the horses—the one killed—was borrowed by the couple to make the trip to Memphis on the fateful Friday.
Funeral services were held in the Christian Church at Greensburg, Sunday October 10, at one o'clock p.m., Rev. E.H. Wiley officiating. A large concourse of sorrowing friends were in attendance, taking that method of paying their tribute of respect to their departed friends and neighbors.
The REVEILLE joins with the people throughout the whole county in extending sympathy to the orphaned children and the bereaved parents of the deceased.
Memphis Reveille
Memphis, Missouri
October 14, 1909
1880 Missouri census, Knox County
Self Minor Clifton M 34 Kentucky
Son Alfred D Clifton M 2 Missouri
Wife Sarah A Clifton F 23 Missouri
------------
1900 Missouri census, Knox county
Head Alfred Clifton M 28 Missouri
Wife Nellie Clifton F 24 Missouri
Son Floyd D Clifton M 1 Missouri
------------
2 Killed at Schoolhouse Crossing
A.C. Clifton and Wife Met Horrible Death Friday While Returning Home From Memphis.—Result of Coroner's Inquest.
"In the midst of life we're in death." The truth of this saying proved true last Friday morning about 11:10 o'clock when Alfred Clifton and his wife, residing in the south part of this county were struck by the west bound Burlington passenger at the school house hill crossing and killed. Mrs. Clifton died instantly, but her husband lived—though unconscious—about forty-five minutes. The spring wagon in which they were riding was wrecked, one horse was killed and the other badly bruised. As if by miracle a little six months old babe, being held in it's mother's arms, escaped injury and when the parents were picked up by the train crew and passengers on the train the little babe was found unharmed in a shallow ditch under it's mother's feet.
In all our experiences in the newspaper business, which covers a period of twenty-four years, never has it fallen to our lot to chronicle a tragedy which appalled us as did the one in which father and mother were sent into eternity leaving five [should be six] orphan children to mourn their departure—the oldest being 12 years old and the babe but six months of age.
Mr. Clifton and wife came to Memphis on Friday morning to do some shopping, having made preparations to leave soon for Oquawka, Illinois. They loaded the goods into their vehicle at Jackson's store about ten or fifteen minutes before the accident. Among their purchases was a new hat for the mother, candy and clothing for the children and other articles of various kinds.
After loading the goods into their wagon they departed for home going out of town by way of the Edinburg road which crosses the railroad track at the foot of school house hill—a very treacherous and dangerous crossing as the above picture would indicate. At this point it is impossible because of the high bank on each side of the road to see an approaching train either east or west bound until you reach the crossing itself as will be seen by the testimony of Engineer Nichols and Foreman Welk.
The team of Mr. Clifton was trotting as it approached the track and it is our opinion and of many others, that the horses were frightened and Mr. Clifton could not control them. He undoubtedly would not have attempted to cross in front of the approaching train could he have brought his horses to a standstill. It may be he thought the train had passed by—it being about twenty minutes late.
The trainmen who saw the deplorable accident say Mr. Clifton at the time of the collision was trying his utmost to turn his team to the west side of the road in order to evade the accident but the animals being bronchos were self-willed and carried their driver and companion to a horrible death.
Mrs. Clifton's neck was broken and her skull fractured and the back of Mr. Clifton's head was crushed. Willing hands lifted both into the baggage coach and cared for the baby and the train was backed to the station.
Drs. Platter, Pile and Alexander were summoned and everything possible was done for Mr. Clifton but life ebbed away without him regaining consciousness.
The bodies were taken to the undertaking establishment of D.W. Payne and prepared for burial—the little babe being cared for by Judge and Mrs. McKee.
The father of Mr. Clifton, Minor Clifton of Oquawka, Illinois, and the mother of Mrs. Clifton, Mrs. Sweet of Adair County, were notified by wire of the sad death of their children and both arrived in Memphis on Friday evening to take charge of the bodies. The grief of the bereaved father and mother was heartrending—the son being an only child, who had on Monday before the accident returned from a visit with his father and had made arrangements to move to Illinois.
Five orphan children are left to mourn the tragic death of father and mother—their ages ranging from six months to 12 years. We understand that their grandmother, Mrs. Sweet will take them home with her. Her love for the little ones will keep them together—which is much better than having them separated from one another.
Mr. Clifton was about 32 years of age and his wife about the same age. They were married in Adair County about 13 years ago, moving shortly thereafter to this county where Mr. Clifton was born and raised.
Deceased was a poor man, but was rich in having the respect and friendship of his neighbors. He was industrious, frugal and honest and his helpmate was a woman of excellent character whose many kind deeds will forever be treasured by her acquaintances.
Misfortune however seemed to have followed Mr. Clifton throughout his life. A few years ago, while out gathering hickory nuts with his wife and children he fell from a tree and broke both legs. One ankle was crushed causing him to be a cripple—it being necessary after that mishap for him to walk on the side of his foot. One of the horses—the one killed—was borrowed by the couple to make the trip to Memphis on the fateful Friday.
Funeral services were held in the Christian Church at Greensburg, Sunday October 10, at one o'clock p.m., Rev. E.H. Wiley officiating. A large concourse of sorrowing friends were in attendance, taking that method of paying their tribute of respect to their departed friends and neighbors.
The REVEILLE joins with the people throughout the whole county in extending sympathy to the orphaned children and the bereaved parents of the deceased.
Memphis Reveille
Memphis, Missouri
October 14, 1909
Self Minor Clifton M 34 Kentucky
Son Alfred D Clifton M 2 Missouri
Wife Sarah A Clifton F 23 Missouri
------------
1900 Missouri census, Knox county
Head Alfred Clifton M 28 Missouri
Wife Nellie Clifton F 24 Missouri
Son Floyd D Clifton M 1 Missouri
------------
2 Killed at Schoolhouse Crossing
A.C. Clifton and Wife Met Horrible Death Friday While Returning Home From Memphis.—Result of Coroner's Inquest.
"In the midst of life we're in death." The truth of this saying proved true last Friday morning about 11:10 o'clock when Alfred Clifton and his wife, residing in the south part of this county were struck by the west bound Burlington passenger at the school house hill crossing and killed. Mrs. Clifton died instantly, but her husband lived—though unconscious—about forty-five minutes. The spring wagon in which they were riding was wrecked, one horse was killed and the other badly bruised. As if by miracle a little six months old babe, being held in it's mother's arms, escaped injury and when the parents were picked up by the train crew and passengers on the train the little babe was found unharmed in a shallow ditch under it's mother's feet.
In all our experiences in the newspaper business, which covers a period of twenty-four years, never has it fallen to our lot to chronicle a tragedy which appalled us as did the one in which father and mother were sent into eternity leaving five [should be six] orphan children to mourn their departure—the oldest being 12 years old and the babe but six months of age.
Mr. Clifton and wife came to Memphis on Friday morning to do some shopping, having made preparations to leave soon for Oquawka, Illinois. They loaded the goods into their vehicle at Jackson's store about ten or fifteen minutes before the accident. Among their purchases was a new hat for the mother, candy and clothing for the children and other articles of various kinds.
After loading the goods into their wagon they departed for home going out of town by way of the Edinburg road which crosses the railroad track at the foot of school house hill—a very treacherous and dangerous crossing as the above picture would indicate. At this point it is impossible because of the high bank on each side of the road to see an approaching train either east or west bound until you reach the crossing itself as will be seen by the testimony of Engineer Nichols and Foreman Welk.
The team of Mr. Clifton was trotting as it approached the track and it is our opinion and of many others, that the horses were frightened and Mr. Clifton could not control them. He undoubtedly would not have attempted to cross in front of the approaching train could he have brought his horses to a standstill. It may be he thought the train had passed by—it being about twenty minutes late.
The trainmen who saw the deplorable accident say Mr. Clifton at the time of the collision was trying his utmost to turn his team to the west side of the road in order to evade the accident but the animals being bronchos were self-willed and carried their driver and companion to a horrible death.
Mrs. Clifton's neck was broken and her skull fractured and the back of Mr. Clifton's head was crushed. Willing hands lifted both into the baggage coach and cared for the baby and the train was backed to the station.
Drs. Platter, Pile and Alexander were summoned and everything possible was done for Mr. Clifton but life ebbed away without him regaining consciousness.
The bodies were taken to the undertaking establishment of D.W. Payne and prepared for burial—the little babe being cared for by Judge and Mrs. McKee.
The father of Mr. Clifton, Minor Clifton of Oquawka, Illinois, and the mother of Mrs. Clifton, Mrs. Sweet of Adair County, were notified by wire of the sad death of their children and both arrived in Memphis on Friday evening to take charge of the bodies. The grief of the bereaved father and mother was heartrending—the son being an only child, who had on Monday before the accident returned from a visit with his father and had made arrangements to move to Illinois.
Five orphan children are left to mourn the tragic death of father and mother—their ages ranging from six months to 12 years. We understand that their grandmother, Mrs. Sweet will take them home with her. Her love for the little ones will keep them together—which is much better than having them separated from one another.
Mr. Clifton was about 32 years of age and his wife about the same age. They were married in Adair County about 13 years ago, moving shortly thereafter to this county where Mr. Clifton was born and raised.
Deceased was a poor man, but was rich in having the respect and friendship of his neighbors. He was industrious, frugal and honest and his helpmate was a woman of excellent character whose many kind deeds will forever be treasured by her acquaintances.
Misfortune however seemed to have followed Mr. Clifton throughout his life. A few years ago, while out gathering hickory nuts with his wife and children he fell from a tree and broke both legs. One ankle was crushed causing him to be a cripple—it being necessary after that mishap for him to walk on the side of his foot. One of the horses—the one killed—was borrowed by the couple to make the trip to Memphis on the fateful Friday.
Funeral services were held in the Christian Church at Greensburg, Sunday October 10, at one o'clock p.m., Rev. E.H. Wiley officiating. A large concourse of sorrowing friends were in attendance, taking that method of paying their tribute of respect to their departed friends and neighbors.
The REVEILLE joins with the people throughout the whole county in extending sympathy to the orphaned children and the bereaved parents of the deceased.
Memphis Reveille
Memphis, Missouri
October 14, 1909
Inscription
Dearest children thou hast left us
and thy loss we deeply feel
But it is God that has bereft us
He can all our sorrows heal
Gravesite Details
The marker is inscribed with an incorrect death year as indicated by newspaper articles of the accident.
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