“To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no tomorrow. To forget time, to forgive life, to be at peace.” - Oscar Wilde
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Tombstone Tuesday: Henry Coff, Railway Fireman
The stone reads:
Henry Coff.
Fireman on the H. & N. W. R. R. who on the 3rd of Feb. 1880 unfortunately lost his life near Glencairn Station by the breaking of the leading wheel of the engine truck. HE WAS 23 YEARS OF AGE. and was highly esteemed by his fellow workmen for his many amiable qualities. His death will be long lamented by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.
I could find no other information about the accident which took young Mr. Coff's life. The H. & N.W. R. R. is the Hamilton & North Western Railroad which was taken over by The Grand Trunk Railroad in 1888.
There are other two occupants in the grave, Emma and George. Based on the dates of their respective interments, the grave may have been unmarked until the interment of Henry.