Pvt. William T. Flaherty

Pvt. William T. Flaherty

       From the Ill. Adj't. Gen's. Report

Co. D       3rd Ill. Nat. Guard

Home of record listed as Elgin, Ill.
Enlisted – June 17, 1898
Mustered In – June 17, 1898 at Chickamauga Park, Ga.
     Arrived at Newport News July 24, 1898.   Sailed on board the 'St. Louis' for Puerto Rico.   Duty in the Area of Guayama, Puerto Rico until Nov. 2, 1898.   Embarked on board the 'Roumiai' for New York Nov. 3, 1898 arriving Nov. 9, 1898.   Ordered to home station vis railroad arriving Nov. 11, 1898.
Mustered Out – Jan. 18, 1899 at Joliet, Ill.
       Known Actions;
Aug. 2, 1898 – Under fire while landing at Arroyo, Puerto Rico
Aug. 5, 1898 – Battle at Guayama, Puerto Rico
Aug. 8, 1898 – Engagement north of Guayama, Puerto Rico
Aug. 13, 1898 – Engagement north of Guayama, Puerto Rico

       From the Elgin Sexton's Ledger
Died – Nov. 6, 1900
Where – East of city ***** Aurora
Aged – 26 / 0 / 0
Permit #8029
Interred – Nov. 7, 1900
Location – Grave #978, Lot 17, Section 5
Head of grave from – 1.2' north, 28.8' west
Cause of Death – Killed by cars
Condition – Male / White / Single
Physician – Charls Mink, Cor. Geneva, Ill.

           Obit – Nov. 6, 1900 issue of the Elgin Daily Courier
     William Flagerty of this city, who was employed by the Elgin advertising Co., was killed near Aurora, early this morning, by a Chicago, Burlington & Quincy fast train.
     He left here last night with the Elgin delegation to attend the Alschuler (sic) celebration at Aurora.   In company with George Dudernboefer and Phil Whales he participated in the parade and celebrations and later met former comrades of company D,of the old Third regiment who served in Puerto Rico.
     The three Elgin boys missed the train and immediately went to look for their Aurora friends.   Toward morning about 4 o'clock they were in the C. B&Q yards evidently figuring on catching a train into Chicago and so be enabled to reach home by an early train.
     The fast freight, east bound, and coming through at a speed of about forty miles an hour.
     The train slackened its speed and Flaherty, with his companions boarded the freight intending probably to go to Chicago.   He was riding on the bumpers and the freight was going at a high rate of speed.   Just east of the Kane county line near Eola Flaherty lost his hold jolted off by the swaying and bumping motion.   He fell beneath the cars and death must have been instantaneous as the body was badly mangled.   Word was immediately sent back to Aurora and a switch engine hurried to the scene.   The body was taken to Aurora and to Denniy's morgue the coroner was called and the jury convened.early this afternoon.   The railway company was held blameless.
     William Flaherty was born in Indianapolis on September 11, 1875.   With his parents he came to this city nineteen years ago.   He was the oldest son of Mrs. Martha Flaherty, widow of the late John Flaherty, residing at 109 Jewett street.   He attended school at St. Mary's academy and of late had been employed by the Elgin Advertising company and at the opera house.
     In the spring of 1898 he went to Springfield in company with the recruits for company E at the beginning of the Spanish-American war.   Company E had a full quota, but Flaherty was determined to go, so he entered the ranks of company D of Aurora under Captain Grasers.   He served all through the war with devotion to duty and was a model soldier.   He was well known in this city and well liked.
     After finishing his work yesterday he went home and prepared to go to Aurora.   His mother endeavored to get him to stay at home but he thoroughly put aside all protests.   He had not expected to be in the parade, and told his people he would merrily go alone to see the big celebration there.   The family was prostrated with grief when Officer Lincfield carried the terrible news to them.
     Fred Janeks, who was Will's employer went with W. T. Walt, to represent the family at the inquest and to bring the body home.
     Besides the mother there are living two brothers and two sisters, Bernard, who is employed on the railroad, John, Mary, and Katherine.
     The funeral will be on Thursday at 2 from the house and 2;30 from St. Mary's church.