grave import

Obituary

This morning shortly after 6 o'clock employes coming to work at the factory of the Rand, Leopold Desk Co., on the corner of Mt. Pleasant and Osborn streets found the night watchman, William S. Yocum, lying dead in front of the boilers in the boiler room. He was lying with a shovel in his hands and evidently had just been firing up when death overtook him. It is supposed that heart trouble or some kindred disease was the immediate cause of his death. He had not been in good health lately, having only returned to work last Saturday after having laid off for some time on account of sickness. Death must have come suddenly as it appears he was performing his regular duties up to the last moment. Part of the watchman's regular work is to keep the boiler fires up and he was apparently shoveling coal into the furnaces when he fell over, still holding the shovel which remained in his hand. The watchman's register read 3:25 a.m. so that he had been dead about two hours and a half when found. He was a resident of Burlington, living with his family at their home, No. 1005 North Eighth street. He had been in the employ of the Rand, Leopold company for a good many years and was considered an excellent watchman, prompt and efficient in the performance of his duties. Death overcoming him at his labors attests the faithfulness with which he devoted himself to his task, virtually dying at his post. The remains were taken to Unterkircher's this morning. The arrangements for the funeral will be announced later.