This file part of www.watertownhistory.org website
John Clifford
1873 - 1922
JOHN CLIFFORD – AUTO IS TRUCK
BY TRAIN XMAS
Was on Way to Visit at a Friend’s Home
When the Accident Happened
Wife and Son are Out of Danger
An accident which shocked the entire
community and resulted in the death of John Clifford, editor and one of the
publishers of the Watertown Daily Times, occurred Monday
afternoon at the Eighth street, crossing of the Milwaukee Road when passenger
train No. 7 going west struck the closed sedan in which he, his wife, son, John
aged 13 years, and Mr. and Mrs. M. Bock of Lowell were riding. They were on their way to visit at the home
of Walter Blaesius, nearby, when the accident happened.
The auto was crushed into a heap by the
impact and the wonder is that any of the occupants escaped with their
lives. Mr. Clifford, who was fatally
injured, was taken to the home of Louis Benzel, nearby, and the others were
rushed to St. Mary’s Hospital. An
ambulance was secured and Mr. Clifford was also taken there but died before he
reached there.
He was conscious to the last and remarked to
those near him that the end had come.
Both his limbs were fractured and his skull was crushed. He was at the wheel when the train crashed
into the machine.
Mrs. Clifford sustained severe injuries as
did also the boy, but it is thought that both of them will recover. Mr. and Mrs. Bock were also injured by not
seriously.
How
it Happened
At the crossing where the accident happened
the view to the east is partially shut off by the malt house and it is thought
that when Mr. Clifford saw the danger he turned the machine to the right to
avoid the collision but one of the front wheels which had crossed the rail
where the planking protected the crossing, could not be turned back over the
rail in sufficient time to avoid the impact.
The machine was struck by the pilot of the locomotive and carried a
considerable distance. Mr. Clifford was
thrown clear from the machine after sustaining the injuries which resulted in
his death, and his boy was pinned underneath the wreckage. His hip bone protruded and his foot was
crushed. The others were thrown away
from the machine.
Officer
Herbert Weis, who was at the depot at the time, was one of the first at the
scene and with others rendered what aid was possible and phoned for doctors,
but death called Mr. Clifford before he reached the hospital.
Dodge
County Product
Mr. Clifford was a product of Dodge
County. He was born in the town of Emmet
On
Mr. Clifford has held numerous positions of
honor and trust as follows: City clerk,
Juneau, 1897 to 1898; justice, 1899 to 1906; commissioner of public works, 1904
to 1910; and secretary therof for the first two years; secretary democratic
county committee, 1902 to 1906; democratic candidate for chief clerk of
Wisconsin assembly, 1905; elected clerk of the courts, sixth term, in
1916. Mr. Clifford proved himself a
capable official, fulfilling his duties with a rare sense of conscientious
obligation, thus sustaining the confidence of his constituency and proving the
wisdom of their choice.
Possessed
Fine Character
“It’s a fine thing to have faith” were the
last words spoken to Rev. William Mahoney and those about him as he sank into
the sleep that knows no waking on this side of eternity. He knew the end was near but he bore up
bravely despite the suffering and anguish he was bearing. It was typical of his life; he had the faith
not only in a religious sense but in every move of his active life. While ever ready to grant to others the right
of their opinion, when once he had made up his mind on any question which
involved principle he was as adamant in maintaining it. He possessed a genial and sympathetic nature
which was always in evidence in his daily life.
Kind and considerate of others, he retained the right to think and act
for himself on all matters concerning the public weal (sic). He was primarily the keen man of business,
but withal a man of liberal tastes with a fund of useful information acquired
during his many years as a public official.
He had the social gift and a capacity for wholesome and liberal
enjoyment that never flagged. A public
spirited man, he gave generously of his time and means to movements and
institutions for public pleasure and improvement. His purse strings were ever loosened for
those in distress and by kindly acts he was endeared to all who knew him. He was bright, kindly, witty and companionable
and will long be missed in the social and business circles in the community
where he was ever a welcome and animating figure. He bespake confidence in all. No man was more fair or just. He lived according to the golden rule, at
home, in business, in church. Distinctly
he was a safe, patriotic Christian gentleman who filled honorably and
conscientiously every niche in which duty placed him.
A
Companionable Man
Mr. Clifford was greatly devoted to his home
and family and possessed a true fraternal spirit and was a valued member of
many organizations. He was a member of
the Elks lodge, the Eagles, Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, Modern Woodmen, the
Plattdeutscher Verein, senior counselor of the United Commercial Travelers, and
a director of the Watertown Athletic Association and a valued member of the
Chamber of Commerce, in all which activities he displayed a worthy zeal. During the war he served Dodge County in a
patriotic manner as a member of the committee on war activities and did much in
the service of the government during that period. He made many friendships and retained them by
his genial good nature and engaging personality and was ever ready to render a
favor or do a good turn for those in need.
A Christian to the core, he traveled life’s pathway with the golden rule
as a guide and his tragic and untimely death is deeply deplored by all. Hundreds of inquiries were received at the Times office today asking after the
welfare of the other members of his family who were injured in the accident,
testifying to the great esteem in which he was held. In the death of Mr. Clifford this community
has lost a man of sterling integrity whose influence during his life was a
great asset and whose memory will be cherished by all.
He is survived by his widow and three
children, John D. Clifford, William B. Clifford and Miss Emmalou Clifford. His mother also survives as does three
brothers and one sister: M. W. Clifford,
D. F. Clifford, E. A. Clifford, Miss Julia F. Clifford of Juneau.
The funeral will take place Thursday morning
from the residence,
The body will be taken to Juneau by
automobile.
An inquest has been ordered and will be held
before Justice Schmutzler at
