Nathan Groom Williamson

Nathan Groom Williamson was born January 30th, 1878 the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Williamson. He spent most of his short life in Newton. He enlisted in Company D., Second Infantry K.N.G. and was honorably discharged. At the start of the Spanish-American war he enlisted in the 21st Kansas on June 17th, 1898 and was honorably discharged December 10th, 1898. He went to work for the Santa Fe in 1899 and was promoted to fireman in 1900. On October, 20th, 1901 he married Josephine Smith. They had one daughter Josephine Lorraine Williamson (later became Josephine L. Shriver) who was born January 6th, 1903. On August 28th, 1903 Nathan was involved in a tragic accident at Great Bend. He and two other men were crushed between the tender and cab of two engines. One man was killed instantly, the other suffered minor injuries. Nathan's skull was fractured in several places and he was rendered unconscious. He survived for three days but never recovered and died at the age of 24. His funeral took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Smith (parents of wife Josephine) on East First street. Rev. J.K. Young of the Evangelical church performed the funeral sermon. A quartet consisting of Preston and W.I. Plumb, Charles Kirkhuff and C.L. Cooper sang three songs and the body was escorted to the cemetery by the locomotive firemen, the Select Knights and Company D. Graveside services were conducted by W. H. Seaser and a salute was fired by a detail from Company D. He was survived by his wife and daughter, his parents, as well as four brothers and four sisters.