Councilman D. H. Backus was killed while at work yesterday in the West End yard of the Norfolk and Western in this city. The news came like a stroke from a clear sky upon those who knew as well as those who knew of this gentleman who had become identified with the people and interests of Roanoke. The details of the accident are indeed sad and shocking. Mr. Backus had just returned to his work from his dinner. His duties were those of a car repairer and it was between two cars while in the discharge of his duty he was killed. When Mr. Backus works there is a slight dip in the tracks and when work on a car is completed it is customary to let another car come down against it to push it up out of the way. Another time cars are placed on this spot by means of a crow or pinch bar which placed against the wheels. Mr. Backus thought that the latter thing would be done and so worked on the end of the car he was fixing without noticing the car coming towards him with force sufficient to move the one he was working upon. He was caught between the bumper brakes and crushed through the spine and abdomen and hips and one arm broken. He was quickly removed but death occurred in a very few minutes. The body was taken in charge by the undertakers and prepared for burial after which it was removed to his late home No. 734 Eighth Avenue N.W. The funeral arrangements have not yet been given out.
Mr. Backus came to Roanoke in 1891 as Manager of the Diamond Ice Co., after which he entered the employee of the Norfolk and Western. He was a Confederate veteran, having served throughout the Civil War, and a most estimable and popular citizen. In May of last year he was elected to the City Council from the Fifth Ward, taking his seat on July 1st. As a Councilman he was watchful and conscientious and performed his duty without ostentation. He was insured in the Royal Arcanum for $3,000 and leaves a wife and two children, Mrs. Sydney B. Pace and R. M. Backus of Cincinnati; to mourn his loss. Mr. Backus was 62 years of age.
The final services will take place Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. The pall-bearers will be from the City Council, Royal Arcanum and order of Railway Carmen.
The Roanoke Times
Roanoke, Virginia
Tuesday, May 1, 1900
Mr. Backus came to Roanoke in 1891 as Manager of the Diamond Ice Co., after which he entered the employee of the Norfolk and Western. He was a Confederate veteran, having served throughout the Civil War, and a most estimable and popular citizen. In May of last year he was elected to the City Council from the Fifth Ward, taking his seat on July 1st. As a Councilman he was watchful and conscientious and performed his duty without ostentation. He was insured in the Royal Arcanum for $3,000 and leaves a wife and two children, Mrs. Sydney B. Pace and R. M. Backus of Cincinnati; to mourn his loss. Mr. Backus was 62 years of age.
The final services will take place Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. The pall-bearers will be from the City Council, Royal Arcanum and order of Railway Carmen.
The Roanoke Times
Roanoke, Virginia
Tuesday, May 1, 1900
Councilman D. H. Backus was killed while at work yesterday in the West End yard of the Norfolk and Western in this city. The news came like a stroke from a clear sky upon those who knew as well as those who knew of this gentleman who had become identified with the people and interests of Roanoke. The details of the accident are indeed sad and shocking. Mr. Backus had just returned to his work from his dinner. His duties were those of a car repairer and it was between two cars while in the discharge of his duty he was killed. When Mr. Backus works there is a slight dip in the tracks and when work on a car is completed it is customary to let another car come down against it to push it up out of the way. Another time cars are placed on this spot by means of a crow or pinch bar which placed against the wheels. Mr. Backus thought that the latter thing would be done and so worked on the end of the car he was fixing without noticing the car coming towards him with force sufficient to move the one he was working upon. He was caught between the bumper brakes and crushed through the spine and abdomen and hips and one arm broken. He was quickly removed but death occurred in a very few minutes. The body was taken in charge by the undertakers and prepared for burial after which it was removed to his late home No. 734 Eighth Avenue N.W. The funeral arrangements have not yet been given out.
Mr. Backus came to Roanoke in 1891 as Manager of the Diamond Ice Co., after which he entered the employee of the Norfolk and Western. He was a Confederate veteran, having served throughout the Civil War, and a most estimable and popular citizen. In May of last year he was elected to the City Council from the Fifth Ward, taking his seat on July 1st. As a Councilman he was watchful and conscientious and performed his duty without ostentation. He was insured in the Royal Arcanum for $3,000 and leaves a wife and two children, Mrs. Sydney B. Pace and R. M. Backus of Cincinnati; to mourn his loss. Mr. Backus was 62 years of age.
The final services will take place Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. The pall-bearers will be from the City Council, Royal Arcanum and order of Railway Carmen.
The Roanoke Times
Roanoke, Virginia
Tuesday, May 1, 1900
Mr. Backus came to Roanoke in 1891 as Manager of the Diamond Ice Co., after which he entered the employee of the Norfolk and Western. He was a Confederate veteran, having served throughout the Civil War, and a most estimable and popular citizen. In May of last year he was elected to the City Council from the Fifth Ward, taking his seat on July 1st. As a Councilman he was watchful and conscientious and performed his duty without ostentation. He was insured in the Royal Arcanum for $3,000 and leaves a wife and two children, Mrs. Sydney B. Pace and R. M. Backus of Cincinnati; to mourn his loss. Mr. Backus was 62 years of age.
The final services will take place Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. The pall-bearers will be from the City Council, Royal Arcanum and order of Railway Carmen.
The Roanoke Times
Roanoke, Virginia
Tuesday, May 1, 1900
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