William Brocklebank Was en Route Home on the Liner
Employed by Truman
Was a Horse Expert Employed at Big Farm. Was a Man in Prime of Life and Leaves a Family.
Bushnell, Illinois, April 20. A sweet laced little wife and two small children were left without a husband and father when William Brocklebank of Bushnell along with 1594 other people went down off the banks of Newfoundland with the ill fated Titanic, at an early hour Monday morning. This sad news has just been made public by the manager of Truman's pioneer stud farm with which Mr Brocklebank was connected. He was expected home and as no news has been sent of his name being among the saved it is presumed that his life has been snuffed out by the cold cruel waters of the Atlantic.
Mr Brocklebank, who had made Bushnell his home for two years was a horse expert. He left Bushnell about the first of December to spend Christmas time with "the folks at home." A communication has just been received by the Trumans at Bushnell telling of his intentions of embarking at Liverpool on the Titanic, being one among thousands who wanted to say that they had been on the maiden voyage of the largest vessel afloat. His home was near Essex, England.
William, as his employers always called him, was a model follow and was in the prime of life, being about 35 years of age. Since boyhood day he was engaged in handling horses and was engaged in one of the best judges of Hackneys this side of the trackless deep. While with the Trumans he was engaged in driving their Hackney stallions, of which they always have a number of the specimens. He was the best “show man” ever with the Trumans. He knew his charges and could bring out every good quality.
During his residence in Bushnell he made many friends and he learned to like his new home. Before his departure for the holidays at home he told his friends that he was going to make arrangements to bring his wife and babies over here and locate permanently at Bushnell. He did not, however, expect to bring his family over with him at this time, but expected to send for them later.
As a mark of respect for Mr Brocklebank the Union Jack floats at half mast over the Hackney barn where he was employed while with the Trumans.
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