New York Athletic Club Stage Coach Accident Leads to Death of Pelham Manor Man

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In 1901, John R. Beecroft died following an accident involving the New York Athletic Club stage coach that ran between Pelham Manor Depot on the branch line and the club's facility on Travers Island.  I have written before about other members of the Beecroft family that was prominent in Pelham in the early 20th century.  See, e.g.: 

Tue., December 11, 2007:  Photograph and Biography of Edgar C. Beecroft, Pelham Town Supervisor in the Early 20th Century.

Fri., July 22, 2005:  Editorial from the Pelham Manor Tribune Published on October 1, 1894.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes the text of the obituary of John R. Beecroft that appeared in the March 9, 1901 issue of the New Rochelle Pioneer.

"OBITUARY.
-----
JOHN R. BEECROFT.

John R. Beecroft, superintendent of the Century Company, died at midnight on Saturday [March 2, 1901] in the Polyclinic Hospital from the shock following an operation for a broken leg.  Mr. Beecroft was injured during the holidays.  He was returning late one night from the Pelham Manor railroad station to his home, when the stage of the New York Athletic Club, in which he was riding, ran into a stone wall.  Mr. Beecroft was thrown out, and when he was picked up and carried home it was found that his right leg was broken near the thigh and that he had sustained other injuries.  He was taken to the hospital about two weeks ago on the advice of the physicians who were attending him, and operated on last week.

Mr. Beecroft was born in Kent, England, in 1848 and came to this country about thirty years ago.  He became identified with the Century Company about twenty-five years ago, and had since been the superintendent of its various publications.  He was well known as a hymnologist, having compiled a number of works, the most prominent of which is his 'In Excelsis', published by the Century Company and used extensively in the Protestant churches throughout the country.  Mr. Beecroft was a member of the New York Athletic [Club], the Church, Congregational and Polo clubs, and also of the Masonic order.  At his home in Pelham Manor he served as president of the Board of Education, and until lately as warden of the Episcopal church.  He leaves a widow, five sons and a daughter.  The funeral was held on Tuesday, at 1:30 p.m., in Christ Church, Pelham Manor, and was very largely attended.

The pallbearers were R. H. Scott, F. K. Hunter, James McLoughlin, C. A. Van Auken and Walter T. Bell."

Source:  Obituary.  John R. Beecroft, New Rochelle Pioneer, Mar. 9, 1901, p. ?, col. 3 (no page number printed on the newspaper page).

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