| Notes |
- Gloria Jean West - January 9, 1947 - October 18, 1949. Daughter of Clifford Lewis and Betty Jane Husted West.
Newspaper Obituary - Wednesday, October 19, 1949 The Post-Standard - Syracuse, New York - Horror on Tracks - Tot Dies in Play, Unaware of Danger; Train Passengers Express Sympathy - It was a big, bright world for Gloria Jean West, 30-months-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford West, playing on Track 2 of the New York Central Railroad mainline in front of her apartment home a half-mile east of East Syracuse yesterday. Then, the tot was killed instantly when struck by the fast passenger train, the Missourian, at 11:32 a.m. The world, to Gloria, was a thing of sunshine and happiness. In the innocence of babyhood, she did not know of danger and misery. The railroad tracks were the only front yard sheet knew, and found delight in tossing the cinders about and laughing at the falling leaves as the wind whipped them over her flaxen head. No one had seen Gloria toddle and tumble and climb over the rails. She was alone and having a wonderful time. There were many noises, but they made little impression on tiny Gloria. James Kendrick at the controls of the engine hauling the crack Missourian was picking up speed fast, when, to his horror, he spotted the tot playing on the tracks. Frantically he sounded the whistle blast after whistle blast. Brakes were applied with full force, but the train could not be stopped. Kendrick closed his eyes. He knew what had happened, but prayed for a miracle. Then the train came to a stop. Conductor E. W. Ehrlick, 136 Foote street, walked back to the small bundle at the trackside. “I was sick,” he said. Then the child's mother came running from the apartment, bent over the little form, snatched it up and ran with it, sobbing as she went. A kindly passenger had followed Conductor Ehrlick from the train and stood silent as he watched the tragic drama. “Would you mind,” he asked Ehrlick, “if I went thru the train and took up a collection for the parents of that child?” Ehrlick said, “I don't think so. Who are you?” “I am Norman H. Ludoc of 762 Arnett boulevard, Rochester,” the man replied, and began his walk thru the train. He returned later with $110 which he turned over to Ehrlick to be given to the family with the sympathy and blessings of all the passengers on Train 40. Services for Gloria will be at 9:30 a.m. today at the Carl J. Ballweg funeral chapel, 4612 South Salina street, the Rev. William Montgomery officiating.
|
1947 - 1949 (2 years)
d. 5 Aug 1989, West Monroe, Oswego, New York, United States