----Source: LOYAL TRIBUNE (Loyal, Clark County, Wis.) 08/13/1908

Holmes, A. (14 OCT 1845 - Augl 1908)

A. Holmes was almost instantly killed by the northbound local. He was in the employ of the railroad, drilling holes in the rails for a connecting wire to complete the circuit for the automatic alarm bell, which the road is putting at crossings. He had been told by the foreman that if a train should come and he was in any danger, to break the drill and get out of the way. But he was always working for the interest of his employers and thinking he could save the drill, lingered a moment too long and thus met his death, the bumper on the engine striking him in the head and breaking his neck. Deceased was born in Yates Co., New York, Oct 14, 1845, and was in his 63rd years. When he was an infant he came with his parents to Antioch, Ill. When four years of age his parents came to Columbus, Wis., where he resided until 1870, when he came to Clark County, Wis., having been married Nov. 9, 1867, to Inez C. Whiting at Beaver Dam, Wis., whose parents were old and respected citizens of Clark County. His wife died the 8th of March 1907, and he was buried by her side in the Spencer Cemetery. He left to mourn his death six children, J. H. of Butte, Mont., Pearl L. of Fond du Lac, Cora A. Hanner of Disco, Wis., Earl E. of Spencer, Edna A. Oleson of Cloquet, Minn., and Roy B. of Spencer. During the rebellion he served on Co. M 1st Wis. heavy artillery and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Mr. Holmes, during his long residence here, made many friends and it May be doubted if he ever had an enemy. He was an industrious frugal man and had many trials through life and the entire community regrets his untimely end.