Obituary for John Morgan Jameson (1883-1925)
Troy Free Press (Troy, Lincoln Co, MO), Friday, September 25, 1925.
From the collection of Patty (Jamerson) Archer.

Former Lincoln County Man Killed by Bandit

John M. JAMESON, formerly of Ethlyn, shot while on duty on St. Louis Streetcar. John M. JAMESON, a former Lincoln Countian, was instantly killed Saturday morning by a lone bandit while on duty as motorman of a Bellefontaine car in St. Louis. The murder occurred following a hold up in which Miss Sophie Wiesniewski, a passenger on Jameson's car, was badly injured by the bandit, who snatched a parcel containing $500 from her and ran from the car. According to the St. Louis papers, Miss Wiesniewski was returning to her father's store from the Mercantile Trust Co. with $500 which was wrapped in newspaper and bound with a rubber band. She was seated in the middle of the car and at Montgomery Street a young man took a seat beside her. After riding about two blocks, he reached for the package in her lap. She seized his hand, but he drew a revolver; then she realized it was a holdup and tried to give over the package. The rubber band was twisted about her finger and, before she could loosen it, the robber fired, snatched the money and dashed for the front door. What occurred there is not clear, but the most credible story is that the motorman, John M. JAMESON, started to turn to see what was happening, when the robber, fearing that his escape would be blocked, shot him down. The robber pushed the car door open and ran from the scene. None of the passengers on the car, of which were about 25, were able to give a good description of the bandit, other than that he was dressed in a blue suit, with a pin stripe and was wearing a gray cap. The St. Louis authorities are making a thorough investigation and Sunday morning had arrested nine suspects and were holding them for questioning. The latest dispatch reports the arrest of Walter Plough, 22, who tends bar in a saloon near the Wiesniewski store. Two women and an 11 year old boy have identified Plough as the man who ran from the scene of the shooting immediately following the affair. Plough gives an alibi that is supported by his employer. John M. JAMESON was born near Ethlyn, Lincoln county, and was 42 years of age. He went to St. Louis from Ethlyn vicinity in 1920 and began work as a motorman for the United Railway Co. He was married in 1903 to Miss Mary Ellen CLUNY, of near Davis, and is survived by her and eight children ranging in age from 21 years, to twin daughters, 20 months old. He is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. M.P. HUTTON, of near Old Monroe, and Mrs. P.A. LUSSE, of Moscow, and two brothers, Green, of St. Charles, and Ira of Moscow. The remains were brought to Ethlyn Tuesday, where funeral services were held and burial was in the Highland Prairie cemetery near there. Miss Wiesniewski, who was taken to a hospital, will recover, but is yet quite ill.

Obituary

John M. JAMESON was born in Lincoln County, near the village of Ethlyn, May 25, 1883. Thirty-three years of his life were spent in the county where he was reared. In 1920 he located in the city of St. Louis and was employed by the United Railway Co., of that city. He was given the position of motorman and his faithfulness to the charge assigned to him influenced the officials of the company to retain him in that important line of service. Mr. JAMESON was accommodating to the public and was watchful concerning the interest of his employers. The fact that he chose to die rather than forsake those confided in him reveals that he was governed by a motive based on principles generated out of true manhood. Mr. JAMESON was united in marriage to Mary Ellen CLUNY March 24, 1903. To this union eight children were born: Mrs. T.A. SKILLINGTON, Ira E., Ruby D., Vincent A., Dorothy M., Clifton G., and the twin girls, Doris and Darline. He parted this life on Sept. 19, 1925, at Twelfth Street, St. Louis. The deceased had passed his forty-second birthday and was in the prime of his life. He possessed many sterling qualities and the greatest was the love manifested by him in behalf of his family. To his mind the human heart should be a dynamo supplying us with light and force. The responsibility that rests upon man requires him to wisely use the light and power given to him. He believed we should use these to aid our fellowmen to climb the grades and cross the lines where others are compelled to pass. And to do it in a manner that will promote the welfare of all who are now on the streets of time. Our deceased friend leaves a wife and eight children. He also leaves one grandchild. All of these live in St. Louis. He leaves two brothers, Green JAMESON, of St. Charles, and Ira JAMESON, of Moscow. He also leaves two sisters, Mrs. M.P. HUTTON, of Old Monroe, and Mrs. P.A. LUSSE, of Moscow. He has many relatives in this county. Funeral services were conducted on Tuesday morning by Rev. J.W. Borden in the Highland Prairie Church. Interment was made in the cemetery near the church.-J.W.B.

Cards of Thanks

I desire to express my thanks to the people of Lincoln County for their words of sympathy and help at the funeral of my dear husband. We are grateful to those who gave the beautiful flowers and also Bro. Borden and the choir at Highland Prairie Church. May God bless all of you.-Mrs. John M. JAMESON and Family

Old Alexandria

The sad news reached here of the death of John JAMESON in St. Louis Saturday. His wife was Miss Mollie CLUNY, of Davis. We extend our deepest sympathy to wife and children in their bereavement.

Old Monroe

John JAMESON, a motorman on a Bellefontaine street car in St. Louis, and also a man with a host of friends in this community, was shot by a bandit while on duty Saturday. John died a few minutes after he was shot. Our sympathy to the bereaved.

Chantilly

Mrs. Marl HUTTON received the sad news Sunday of the death of her brother, J.M. JAMESON, who was killed by a bandit in St. Louis Saturday. The remains were buried at Highland Prairie Tuesday. Our sympathy to the bereaved family.

[NOTE: John Morgan Jameson was born May 25, 1883 Lincoln County, MO and died Sept. 19, 1925 St. Louis City. He was the son of Willis Franklin "Dock" & Flora Ann (Pierce) Jamerson. John was the only one in the family that kept the original spelling of the surname Jameson. He was married to Mary Ellen "Molly" Cluny on March 25, 1903 in Lincoln County. Their children: Eula Blanche, Ira Edwin "Bud", Ruby Dell, Vincent Arnold, Dorothy Muriel, Clifton Grenville, Doris Marie & Darlene May (twins). He is buried at Highland Prairie Cemetery in Ethlyn.]

File submitted to HERITAGE PAGES of LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI by Patty (Jamerson) Archer, 5 October, 2004.

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