George Beyer
Aug. 16, 1855-April 17, 1917
Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, April 17, 1917, page 1, col. 7 & 8, microfilm Niles District Library
AGED SECTION HAND MET A TRAGIC DEATH
George Beyrer, Who Had Been In Employ of the Michigan Central for Half a Century is Killed by Train.
George Beyrer, a well-known Michigan Central section foreman, was almost instantly killed this morning about 6:45 o'clock when a freight car struck the hand car on which he was riding and he was thrown under the wheels of the train. He lived but a few minutes after being taken from under the car wheels. The accident occurred in the east end of the yards known as the cross switch.
On the hand car with Mr. Beyrer were three other men, Ernest Fisher, Herman Schmidt and an Italian. These men jumpped and all escaped injury, but Byrer in making an effort to save the hand car was thrwon under the wheels of the way car.
Mr. Beyrer was enroute to the depot to receive orders for the day when the fatal accident occurred. He was going west on the east bound track to avoid a passenger train.
Mr. Beyrer was in a dying condition when taken from under the car wheels by fellow workmen and was removed to the baggage room, where his death occurred a few minutes after the accident.
The body was terribly mangled. The left leg was cut off below the knee and a deep gash was cut in the head and he was otherwsie mutilated.
The body was removed from the baggage room to the Price undertaking rooms to await the arrival of relatives from out of the city who were expected this afternoon.
Mr. Beyrer was born in Germany, but came to Niles when a child. He was about 63 years of age. He had been almost a life-long employe of the Michigan Central railroad company, entering the service as a section hand and later was made section boss. He was the oldest section boss in the company's employ.
Mr. Beyrer resided alone at his home on North Twelfth street since the death of his wife about three years ago. Their only child died about 10 years ago.
Three sisters survive. One is Mrs. George Krantz, of Kensignton, Ill. and the other two, one is Mrs. Dittmar . .[illegible]. .
Mr. Beyrer was a member of St. John's church, of the German Workingmen's Benevolent association and of the Woodmen of the World.
The funeral arrangments have not been made pending the arrival of relatives.
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, April 17, 1917, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library
SECTION FOREMAN KILLED TODAY
GEORGE BEYERS HIT BY FREIGHT TRAIN THIS A.M.
VICTIM OF ACCIDENT STUCK TO HAND CAR BUT THE OTHER MEMBERS OF SECTION GANG JUMPED BEFORE CRASH CAME AND ACTION SAVED THEIR LIVES
Failure to jump from the hand card on which he was riding cost George Beyers, a Michigan Central section foreman, his life early this morning when a freight backed down upon him in the local yards.
Foreman Beyers and a gang of men were about to start out for the day's work on the hand car when the freight bore down upon them. All of the men scrambled to a place of safety with the exception of Mr. Beyers who stuck to his post and when the train came he was hurled from the track sustaining injuries which brought almost instnat death.
The skull was ripped open and badly fractured and one mark caused by a blow on the temple, was undoubtedly the cause of death. The left leg was mangled and torn and almost severed from the body and the victim also suffered internal injuries.
The body was cared for by the section men and as there were several eye witnesses to the accident which cost Mr. Beyers his life, no inquest was held. It was not deemed necessary. The remains were conveyed to the Price undertaking establishment and this afternoon, removed to the home of the deceased, north Twelfth street.
Deceased has two sisters, residing in Kensington, Ill., and is an uncle of Fire chief Volkhardt of this city. Funeral arrangements will be announced later, and it is probable that they will be held from the residence. Mr. Beyers had been in the emply of the railroad company for over a score fo years and was a valued employe of the road.
Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 18, 1917, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Funeral services for the late George Beyers will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock from the residence in Twelfth street. Rev. Rahn will officiate.
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 19, 1917, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Funeral servcies for George Beyers were held this afternoon from the residence, 1313 north Twelfth street, Rev. Rahn Officiating.