William Frederick Gould (1910)
FLORY, GOULD
Posted By: Kent Transier
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:03:25
The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Friday, May 27, 1910
Page 1, Column 1VETERAN CONDUCTOR DIES ON MONDAY
Fred Gould, Passenger Conductor on Winterset Branch Dead
GOULD WAS SICK BUT TWO DAYS
Oldest Train Man on Rock Island System Had Choice of Runs. Conductor on Winterset Branch Many Years. Patented Many Railroad Devices
Fred Gould, the veteran railroad engineer and conductor, the oldest trainman on the Rock Island system, died at his home in Des Moines Monday afternoon, after an illness of 48 hours. Gould was taken sick Saturday afternoon after taking the morning train back to Des Moines, and asked superintendent Kelso to put another man in his place for the evening run. Pneumonia and heart trouble caused his death.
Fred Gould was born in England. He was 68 years old. His parents settled in Georgia, and later came to Iowa where Gould entered the service of the Rock Island in 1862 as a locomotive firemen. He soon became an engineer, and was known as the most skillful engine driver on the road. He had natural aptitude for mechanics, and his advice was always sought when the Rock Island adopted a new type of engines. He patented many inventions on engines, couplings and rail joint fastenings, some of which brought him a considerable income.
In the early 90’s he was at the head of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. In the great strike of 1894, during which the order was pitted against all the united railways on the West, Gould as president of the order, called the strike off, after a bitter struggle which lasted 30 days. President Cleveland at that time placed federal troops in Chicago to check the riots. It was always claimed by the engineers that Gould played into the hands of the West railroads, against his fellow workman.
At least he was given a choice passenger run on the Western division, but as this comes as a matter of promotion to the older trainmen, there was no significance attached to it. Later he asked for the Winterset branch, which was the choice run of the Rock Island trains, and Conductor John Shuey was transferred to the Rock Island, where he yet runs the Rocky Mountain Limited, the fastest strain on the whole system.
After taking the Winterset run, Gould removed to Winterset. He later was estranged from his wife. After being divorced he married Mrs. Tom Flory, wife of a prominent Winterset barber. After the double service was inaugurated on the Winterset road he removed to Des Moines, where he has resided ever since.
His funeral occurred Wednesday in Des Moines, in charge of railroad men.
______________________Transcriber's note: First name taken from gravestone.
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