Message Board - Tampico Area Historical Society, Tampico, Illinois

Message Board > K. Oliver Tornado Article abt. 1920???

K. Oliver Tornado Article abt. 1920???
The Tampico Area Historical Society encompasses parts of Whiteside County and Bureau County in Illinois. Focus is on Tampico, Hume Twp., Hahnaman/Deer Grove, & Prophetstown in Whiteside County & Yorktown & Thomas in Bureau County.

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Administrator Denise 149 posts Jan 01, 2005 10:06 AM	Looking for an article in Tampico Tornado regarding Kenneth Oliver saving child from being run over by train in town. Guestimate time frame, 1920. Here are a few particulars sent to me in an email from Bea Fox: OUR UNCLE, KENNETH OLIVER WAS GIVEN AN AWARD FOR SAVING A CHILD FROM BEING RUN OVER BY THE TRAIN GOING THROUGH TOWN. HE WAS ALSO A BARE KNUCKLE BOXER. ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU CAN GET ME WOULD BE SO GREATLY APPRECIATED. I would guess it would be around 1920. My mother was born in 1905 and he was her older brother, and I think he was a teenager when he saved the boy from the train. I will try and see what else I can find out too. Bea Fox ---------- Denise, Tampico Area Historical Society
Administrator Denise 451 posts Nov 19, 2006 8:17 AM	Well, it's taken awhile, but I did get a date for this and will check our Tornado for article. The Sterling paper has it: Oliver, Kenneth Carnegie Hero Medal received 6 Aug 1913;Standard;1;5 ---------- Denise Family History Coordinator Tampico Area Historical Society
Administrator Denise 453 posts Nov 20, 2006 4:51 AM	HERO MEDAL RECEIVED BY OLIVER BOY ALSO $2000 IN CASH FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES GLADYS RUSSELL SAVED FROM TRAIN Tampico Boy, Mother, and Grandparents are Very Proud of the Token. Kenneth OLIVER received his hero medal Monday morning from the Carnegie Hero Fund association which awarded him a bronze medal and $2000 cash for educational pruposes some time ago for saving the live of Gladys RUSSELL. The medal is about as large around as a teacup and is made of burnished bronze. One side is a base relief of Carnegie with the words, "Carnegie Hero fund established April 15, 1904." On the reverse side is the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This. That a Man Lay Down His Life For His Friends." In a square in the center of the medal is the inscription "Awarded to Kenneth R. Oliver who saved Gladys M. Russell from being run over by a train, Tampico, Illinois, March 15m 1912." The medal reposes in a fine leather case lined with green plush so arranged that both sides of the medal may be seen like the page of a book. Master Kenneth, his mother and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. David Sly are naturally proud to be in the possession of such a token. ---------- Denise Family History Coordinator Tampico Area Historical Society
Administrator Denise 455 posts Nov 21, 2006 1:48 PM	Tampico Tornado Thursday, March 21, 1912 BOY SAVES SMALL GIRLS LIFE Kenneth Oliver Jerks Little Girl From Instant Death in Front of Moving Train Kenneth Oliver, the eleven year old grandson of Landlord David Sly, saved the life of Gladys Russell, the seven year old grandaughter of Robert Collins by jerking her from in front of a rapidly approaching train and throwing her back onto a snow bank at the crossing west of the depot last Friday and showed rare presence of mind in the act. Little Gladys Russell had a narrow escape from instant death last week Friday evening While crossing the railroad tracks near the depot and was saved by the the presence of mind of Kenneth Oliver a twelve year old lad who jerked her back off the track just as a bit double header snow plow whizzed by. Spectators thought that surely the little lady would be struck and killed. Kenneth saw her danger and acted promptly for a boy of his age and deserves much praise for his heroic act. ---------- Denise Family History Coordinator Tampico Area Historical Society Last Edited by on Nov 21, 2006 1:51 PM

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TAMPICO AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY - MUSEUM - FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY/RESEARCH CENTER 119 Main St., P. O. Box 154, Tampico, IL 61283 www.tampicohistoricalsociety.com tampicoareahistory@gmail.com We are an all-volunteer organization so your donations are always appreciated! Sign up to receive our e-newsletter. Thank you! Visit us on FACEBOOK.