[RITSlist] Anyone with RITS have info on 1881 employee deaths?

[Ron n Shannon]

I am in Stuart Iowa, and have noted two interesting stones in the cemetery here. One is for William Rakestraw, date of death August 29, 1877 " in the service of the railroad" I have been able to find references to him as John Rakestraw, he was engineer in a 3 AM bridge washout wreck during heavy rains 2 miles outside Altoona Iowa that date. That wreck gained some notoriety as it included a PT Barnum advance advertising car that was destroyed as well as some circus employees killed. His stone has been partly restored, the original stone cap has the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers logo.

What I am trying to find info on is a Frank Rakestraw, his stone is feet away from Williams, and had the BLE symbol as well, but just a date of death as march 30 or  31 1881. As he was only 33 years old, likely another railroad accident?

Any one have any info on old wrecks/employee/union files etc?

Thanks, Ron

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