The tragic story of the train accident that took the life of Robert Aten in 1900 in rural Illinois can be found in “Aten/Auten Letter Links.”  His great grandson Beach Aten shares this rather humorous counterpoint to that sad event, stating that his branch of the family found it pretty funny. It is a description of the problem Beach’s grandfather, son of Robert, ran into getting to the funeral.

Quoted as follows:

     “Word was sent to James Grant (Aten) living on the Mullett farm southeast of Fandon.  The folks wondered why he didn't come.  He had gotten dressed up and started across the ditch to the barn to get the horse and buggy when a skunk sprayed him.  He had to change, drive through Macomb, and buy a new outfit.”