Marion R. Lux, 28, locomotive fireman, saved Gladys Dixon, 2, from being run over by a train, Seward, Nebraska, September 26, 1907. Lux noticed the child on the track from the cab and started for the pilot, but he saw he could not reach it in time. He jumped forward from the pilot beam while the train was running about 10 m.p.h. and fell on the rail, but he rolled aside, sweeping the child before him. 2012-199
2012 – 199
2012-199Obituary
Marion Rollie Lux, son of Mr. and Mrs. John K. Lux, was born in Shelton, Nebraska, on August 25, 1879. He passed away in a hospital at Grand Island, Nebraska, on the May 25, 1949, at the age of 69 years and nine months. While his occupation as a train man shifted him around as it does all men who follow that work, his home was in Buffalo County all his life.
He was married to Millie Loffer on December 24, 1898, and to them were born two children. Emory Lux, now living at Oklahoma City, and Mrs. Beulah Peck, of Kansas City. While they were unable to be present at the funeral, both visited their father while he was ill in the hospital and said their last farewells at that time.
On May 17, 1911, he was married to Elsie Evelyn Tuttle, at York, Nebraska. Eight children were born to them, one of whom died in infancy. Surviving are Mrs. Evelyn Stark, of Ravenna; Mrs. Laoma Kuchers, of Gibbon; Dale Lux in the military service and now stationed at El Paso, Tex.; Ted Lux, living at Boston, Mass.; Norma Cavey, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Howard Lux, in the United States Navy now stationed at Port Hueneme, Calif.; Mrs. Loraine Moyer, Oakland, Calif. Also three brothers, Ivan Lux of Valentine, Neb.; and Clarence and Pearl Lux, of Lincoln.
There are ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren surviving also are three brothers, Ivan Lux of Valentine, Neb. And Clarence and Pearl Lux, who reside at Lincoln, Neb. His wife, Elsie Evelyn, died April 28, 1930.
The death of his wife left him with a large family of children, the youngest not two years old. He organized the home and household to care for the children, brought all of them to maturity, and there are none to say he did not do his duty well, the loyalty of the children attesting their devotion to him.
During his working hours he was a locomotive engineer much of the time, his service with the Burlington railroad covering a span of forty years. On reaching retirement age in 1944 he gladly relingquished his position, thereby leaving an opening for a younger man.
It was during his occupation as a trainman that he performed an act of heroism that won him national attention and for which he was awarded a Carnegie Hero Medal, Sept. 29, 1904. As his train approached Sevard, Nebraska, he spied a little girl sitting between the rails of the track. Being too close to bring his heavy train to a stop, he climbed from the cab and to the front of the engine and snatched the child from certain death. He kept in touch with that child, now married and living in a western state. She wired her regret at being unable to attend the funeral, and sent a tribute to his memory.
After retiring from active work he did not really retire. He found many ways to be busy and useful. With his family mostly grown and able to care for themselves, he found many ways to be useful to others. There are many in the community who can say he often played the part of the good Samaritan, spoken of in the Holy Writ, and exemplified in the teaching of the order that honors him today. He served as member of the board of education and of the city council while still following his duties as railroad employee, and those who knew him well wonder how he found time to do so much.
Truly, one of Ravenna’s most beloved citizens is laid to rest.