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Saturday last at about fifteen minutes to three, while a heavily loaded freight train was pulling out from the depot, Michael J. Mullen attempted to board the train from the platform, by catching the ladder at the rear end of a box car. The train was under good headway, and the testimony is that the man was carried forward quite a little ways, but not having a good hold, he fell, his head, arms, and part of the chest on one side of the rail, his body being cut in two through the chest, three or four cars passing over him. A cut in the forehead showed that the poor man had probably received his death blow before being mashed by the wheels of the cars. No sign of life was noticeable after the accident, except a last gasp for breath. The body, which lay immediately in front of the station door, was taken into the depot, and Coroner Heintz called a jury consisting of J.E. North, G. Schroeder, H.P. Coolidge, J.C. Morrissey, D.C. Kavanaugh and Jacob Greisen, who found a verdict in accordance with the above facts, exhonerating the living from any blame. The deceased was an estimable young man, highly respected by his acquaintances. Being a railroad man, active and daring, he thought he would have no trouble in boarding the train. The report that he was in liquor at the time is false, and a libel on the dead. His remains were laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery northwest of the city on Sunday.  The Omaha Republican of Saturday contained a detailed account of a horrible accident which happened at North Bend last Friday evening, to Mrs. Williams. She ran up behind a train standing at the depot, and called to a gentleman in the caboose, with whom she had business, and before he had time to get to her the train moving backwards had struck her, knocking her down with her neck over a rail, and two cars passed before the train could be stopped. Her head was completely severed from her body, and, strange to say, she received not a bruise or a scratch anywhere else, upon her head or body. She was an excitable woman, and a man by the name of Robinson had just played upon her the scoundrelly trick of selling her a piece of land that he had already sold to another, receiving pay from both, which fact probably so occupied her mind that she was unconscious of where she was standing, intent only upon conferring with a man who purposed aiding her in securing the arrest of the scoundrel who had defrauded her. W.J. Hartley is the name of the brakeman who was killed Tuesday of last week near Schuyler, he being run over by the train. David Anderson has received of our old townsman, J.A. Baker of Golden City, Col., a paper which contains a lengthy account of the sudden death and burial of his old time friend, Capt. P.S. Reed. Mr. Reed was a veteran of the Mexican war and captain of company A of the Nebraska First, during the late war. Himself and family once resided in Columbus, and were well known by most of our settlers. Under his supervision the C.C.R.R. and the narrow guage R'y into Georgetown and Idaho Springs were constructed. He has been road master of those two lines for the past six years, and died at his post, on the rail, suddenly, of heart disease, Sunday, June 11th. John Born was accidently killed Sunday night by a U.P. freight train, about two miles east of Duncan, this county. He was a farmer living near Geo. Birney; a Switzer, with a wife and eight children. He had been at Duncan all day, and left for home about eight o'clock in the evening. It is supposed that the freight train which leaves Duncan at 10:30 is the one that struck him. It seems strange that he should not have got further than two miles in that time. Both legs were cut off, and gashes cut in the right side and head. The unfortunate man had dragged himself off the track, and had probably died but a short time before he was discovered, Monday morning. The jury summoned by Coroner Heintz and Sheriff Kavanaugh, were Aug. Schneider, Wm. Ernst, Jno. Monhka and Jno. Mohnka, Jr., and Jno. and Hans Gerber, who returned a verdict of accidental death. Michael Murphy, employed on the Oregon Short Line at Tunnel, Oregon, was killed on the 25th, by the falling of a bank under which he was working. His remains were brought to this place Tuesday, accompanied by Dan Condon, and buried at the Monastery. Saturday night last, about half past 10 o'clock, Pat Morgan, a brakeman on the Norfolk branch of the U.P., accidentally met his death at Humphrey in this county, by falling between two cars while the train was in motion. The full particulars of the sad affair we did not get, but learn that the unfortunate man was a son-in-law to Jno. Walker, Esq., of this county, and that the remains have been sent to his parents in Iowa. David Hedden, a cattle dealer of Seward county, on his way to Chicago, met his death at Mt. Pleasant, Ia. He was standing on top of a freight car when another car was bumped against it, and the shock caused him to fall between the cars, when he was run over. |
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A portion of the sorrow resulting from the fatalities caused by the recent railroad disaster between Cromwell and Prescott, Iowa, comes to our city in the family of Mr. C.M. Waldron. Mr. Isaiah Waterman, of Corning, Iowa, who was killed in the wreck, was first cousin of Mrs. Waldron. Mrs. Waterman, the wife of the unfortunate man, will be remembered as a visitor in the city last summer. The twelve-year-old daughter was in the car with her father, and of all the occupants of the coach was the only one escaping uninjured. She is now suffering from the terrible nervous shock sustained, but was not otherwise hurt. Thos. Sullivan was the name of the brakeman killed by lightning at Lost Creek. His body was sent to Des Moines, Ia., for burial. Thursday last Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Martz started from town to walk to the Union Pacific bridge over the Loup, on their way home. Some short distance this side the bridge, the eastbound passenger train appeared in sight, and Mr. Martz, cautioning his wife to get far enough away from the track so that the train would not draw her into its current, both stepped off the track. The engine passed by them, but Mr. Martz, it is said, while endeavoring to keep his hat from being blown off his head, leaned too much toward the train and was struck by one of the coaches, on the right side and on the head, his right arm being broken in three places, his neck being broken (probably by the sudden blow upon the side) this motion throwing his head against the car, and being thrown violently to the ground his left arm extended, the left shoulder was dislocated. He did not return to consciousness, and breathed his last in a very few minutes. Mr. Martz had many traits of good character; he was industrious and honest and of a gentle and very genial disposition. He leaves a fond wife and six children to mourn the loss of a loving husband and indulgent father. Peace to his memory. [Butler Precinct] The dailies bring word from Council Bluffs of the death there on Saturday of Alex. Graber, who about two months ago left this city. He will be remembered here as the flag-man at the railroad crossing on Olive street. Friday afternoon he got some morphine at a drug store on the understanding that he wanted it for rheumatism. He ate his supper as usual at his hotel, and retired about 10 o'clock. He was not seen until about noon Saturday, when the chambermaid called the attention of the landlord, when the door was forced open and he was found lying on the bed, unconscious and dying. Remedies were administered, but all to no purpose. Death came in a short time. The coroner's jury found a verdict in accordance with the facts as stated above, without giving an opinion as to suicidal intent. Mr. Graber was about 65 years old, one of the pioneers of Iowa, a veteran of the Mexican war, and for many years an employe of the U.P. Co. A terrible accident happened to the family of Fred. Gerber of this neighborhood. Their son Fred. had been engaged to work on the section of the U.P.R.R. at Schuyler, where he was run over by a train; he died the next day. [Duncan.] John H. Smith, better known in this vicinity as Johnny Brady, son of the widow Brady, who lives three miles northwest of this city, met with a frightful accident between 7 and 8 o'clock Friday evening last while on duty as yard master for the U.P. Co. at this place. He made a mis-step in jumping from the switch engine, had his left foot caught under the pilot and before the engine could be stopped one or more wheels had passed over the foot. Immediately following the occurrence he was removed to St. Mary's hospital, and next morning upon examination, the limb was found to be so badly mangled that an amputation was found necessary, which operation was performed by Drs. Martyn and Evans. Under the kind treatment of the Sisters, he is now doing as well as could be expected under the circumstances. John has been in the employ of the Union Pacific Co. for many years and is well thought of by all who know him. John Herring was manipulating the engine at the time of the accident, but no blame is attached to him as he is considered an unusually careful man. Later.--Just as the Journal forms were going to the press last evening we received the sad news that Johnny Brady had died at 6 o'clock Tuesday evening. It seems that he received internal injuries which doubtless caused his death. Howard Hoffman, a brakeman on the Fullerton branch, while switching at the latter place last Wednesday, met with a fearful accident. He had made the coupling, of the cars and of the air brake, and was walking along with the moving train between the cars when his pants caught on a bolt and was thrown, falling on his back across the track, a wheel passing over his hip and cutting into the bowels, also crushing an arm. He died in a short time. Henry M. Montgomery, formerly station agent at David City, and well known by many Columbus citizens, died at Deer Lodge, Montana, June 3d. Saturday morning, word was received here that Walter Martin, a young man twenty years of age and a brakeman on the Albion train which runs out from here at 7 a.m., had been very seriously injured and would be brought down immediately. The Union Pacific local surgeons, Drs. Martyn & Schug were on hands promptly, and everything got in readiness to receive and care for the injured man. Soon the engine with the baggage car arrived at the depot, and the injured man taken into the baggage room. His injuries proved fatal and death brought relief in the course of fifteen minutes. The body was taken to undertaker, Henry Gass's place, where we saw it. The toes of the right foot and the fingers of the left hand were mashed, and a gash cut in the left side of the abdomen. There seemed no injury about the head, and the casual observer would be inclined to believe that life had been lost through flow of blood. We learn that young Hoffman who met with a somewhat similar fatality about six months ago at Fullerton, was a cousin of young Martin. John Connor, of Pocatello, Idaho, a brother of Mrs. John Browner of this vicinity, was accidentally killed Feb. 28, at that place, being struck and run over by the cars. He had on his person $6,000 in money. About two o'clock in the afternoon of Wednesday, R.S. Mansfield, a brakeman on the Union Pacific, lost his life in the yards of that road in this city. He slipped from a box car, falling into an open car loaded with machinery. He got up right away, did the breaking, got down, walked three car lengths to the caboose, explained to one of the train men that he had injured himself in the pit of the stomach, and suddenly dropped down and remained unconscious. Sheriff M.C. Bloedorn, acting as coroner, summoned as a jury, John Eusden, H.C. Carrig, C.A. Newman, Wm. Lamb, D.C. Kavanaugh and Elias E. Pollock, who found that the deceased "came to his death from internal injuries received by a fall in crossing a car of machinery in the discharge of his duty as brakemen, while in the employ of the Union Pacific Railway Company." He was, after midnight, pronounced dead by the physicians, Drs. Martyn & Schug, and at four o'clock Thursday morning the body was forwarded to Council Bluffs, where resides his wife and four children. July 4, George Lohr, aged twenty-five years. Mr. Lohr died as the result of an accident; he was a night switchman in the Union Pacific yards here, and while so engaged was caught between the bumpers Wednesday morning last, and horribly mangled. This occurred about 5:15. At 8:15 his spirit departed the body. About a year ago, Mr. Lohr's wife preceded him to the spirit world. Two children are left orphans by his death. The funeral took place Thursday afternoon from the residence of Wm. Lohr, father of the deceased, Rev. H. L. Powers officiating. The tragical death of a former citizen of this city is thus noted in the Omaha Herald of yesterday: "John McCann, for many years connected with the Union Pacific, and lately bridge foreman between Cheyenne and Laramie, was killed yesterday west of the former place. A blizzard was raging, and he was about the center of a bridge when an express train struck him. The remains will arrive here today on No. 4. One son, Thomas McCann, is in charge of switch engine 931 at South Omaha yards. Deceased was a brother-in-law to David and Jim Condon, contractors and graders." John McConniff, superintendent of the Atchison & Nebraska division of the B.& M.R.R. died at his home in Lincoln on Tuesday night of last week. The cause of his death was hermorrhage of the stomach. Mr. McConniff was well known here, being a brother of Mrs. J.R. Meagher. He has been engaged in the railway business thirty years and was universally esteemed as an upright business man and citizen. The funeral occurred at Lincoln, Wednesday afternoon. Harry C. Beaver, of Norfolk, a brakeman on the F.E. & M.V.R.R. was fatally injured at Creston, this county, Wednesday, Feb. 6th. The young man went between the tender of the engine and a box car to draw the coupling pin, when he slipped and fell under the wheels. He was dragged some distance, and when found was horribly bruised. He was immediately given medical attention, but died soon after the accident. He was 21 years of age and leaves a mother at Portage, Wis. |
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Sunday a telegram was received here from Duncan that train No. 3 going west passed a man lying dead near the track about a quarter of a mile west of the Loup bridge. Sheriff Bloedorn, acting as coroner, immediately went to the place and found a man with his left arm cut off and the back of his head all crushed in. He appeared to be a Polander and 19 to 22 years old. There was found on his person $20.35 in money, a pocket-knife and a lead pencil, but nothing to tell his name or give a clue to it. A jury was summoned Monday consisting of I. Gluck, Jos. Tiffany, Jos. Willard, A.M. Jennings, L.M. Saley and James Bradshaw, who held a session Monday and meet again today (Tuesday) to hear testimony of engineers and firemen. Mrs. Honeycut saw a man coming from the west and noticed that he weaved to and fro across the track, sometimes getting down off the grade, and wondered what was wrong, finally seeing him sit down on the track, near if not exactly at the spot where the mangled body was found. It would seem that he must have been a resident of Platte county, near Duncan, as he had been here time and again, but so far nobody seems able to recognize him by name. NOTE: Columbus Journal, July 3, 1889: The man who was found Sunday week west of the Loup bridge mangled and dead, a description of whom was given in last week's Journal, has since been identified as John Kotzer. He came to his death by trying to board No. 6, coming east, falling under the train. James, son of A.A. Bouton, near Bellwood was killed Friday. A B.& M. train passing, a team, being driven by young Bouton's brother, took fright, ran off, knocked the young man down, breaking his neck. The plow cut an ugly gash in his side. The little three years old son of A. Alderson, who lives three miles east of town was struck by a west bound Elkhorn freight, No. 73, last Monday morning, within sight of its terror stricken mother. The train was late and was trying to make Humphrey to meet the east bound passenger. They were running about eighteen or twenty miles an hour and in rounding a curve just east of Mr. Alderson's house, which stands a short distance north of the track, Engineer Hambly saw an object which he supposed was a dog laying at the outer edge of the track. When within about fifteen car lengths, the little child arose and walked between the two rails. The engineer called for brakes, reversed his engine and applied the air, but the distance was too short at the rate of speed they were running, to make the stop. When the engine struck the child he was standing erect in the center of the track with his little hands pressed tightly over his face, as if to shut out from his gaze the big iron horse, who would so soon extinguish his vital spark. The engineer and fireman supposed he had gone under the wheels, but the shock threw the little fellow upon the pilot and he rolled off to the side of the track. When the freight reached Humphrey, Dr. Hart was dispatched to the scene of the accident, and apparently the child was not hurt to any great extent, with the exception of a broken jaw, which fracture the doctor set, but Monday night the child died, probably from internal injuries.--[Humphrey Democrat.] [...and...] The two years old child of A. Alderson was struck by the Elkhorn west bound freight Monday afternoon. The child died Monday night. The funeral services were held in the Tracy Valley Tuesday. [Humphrey.] In this city, Thursday morning, Oct. 1, of hemmorrage of the brain, Charles Speed, aged 34 years. The deceased was a locomotive engineer in the employ of the U.P., on the system of branches out of this city. He was very popular and much esteemed among his associates. The remains were taken to Omaha for burial where the funeral was conducted by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, of which he was a member, and he was laid to rest in Prospect Hill cemetery, in that city. The family have the sincere sympathy of all in their sad affliction. The body of a man was found Thursday morning in the ditch along the railroad about two miles west of Silver Creek. In a pocket was found the address, J.A. Couter, Fremont, Neb., Hotel Davenport. It is supposed to be the body of Harry Byers, a carriage painter. He was in Fremont the day before and claimed he had a brother-in-law at Central City and was going to beat his way there on the fast mail. He was no doubt beating his way on some train, fell off and was killed. Since placing the foregoing in type, we notice the following from the Silver Creek Times: "Thomas Antony says he was in Columbus Wednesday night and saw a man put off the fast mail that answers the description of the deceased. Says he talked with him and he said he would jump No. 7, the next train, for Central City where he was going. From Anthony's more particular description of the party he saw in Columbus there can be little or no doubt he was the man found dead. The same man was probably seen in Silver Creek on No. 7 on the blind baggage by J.J. Wanke and M.H. Jeffrey." Saturday evening last the community was shocked by the announcement of the death of young Fred. Schram, run over by the cars. The accident occurred at 5:35, near the Whistling post, north side of U.P. track, the train was Union Pacific freight No. 18, Kelly conductor, and it was going eastward at five or six miles an hour. Fred. had asked Fred. Kohler to go down with him to his grandmother's, Mrs. Friese's, to help him do some sprinkling, and both boys were catching a ride on the train, Kohler two cars ahead of Schram. It seems that Schram held on to the car for twenty feet after it passed the post, but finally fell. Both legs were fearfully mangled and torn to the knees, and the right leg broke near the hip, the left arm below the elbow. A stretcher was got from the depot, and the unfortunate boy put in as good shape as possible, and carried to his mother's home on Thirteenth street. Drs. Evans & Geer had been called and administered to his wants as best they might under the circumstances, but death came about two hours after the accident. It would seem from appearances that the left foot was under the cars first, and that thus he was dragged about ten feet, and in the struggle to get away, the left hand was caught. It is described by those who helped care for the lad, as a most harrowing sight--a mass of human pulp as to the parts of the body ground under the wheels of the cars. The funeral took place from the Lutheran church Monday at 10 o'clock, Rev. Meissler officiating. Deceased was the third son of Mrs. Schram, widow of Michael Schram, and a younger brother of the young men, clerks at the post-office. Mrs. Friese, near the cemetery, was his grandmother, and he often went down to help her care for graves, and this is where he and his companion were going when the fatal accident occured. Charles Smolinski, who had been in the employ of the Union Pacific company the past six years, the last year at Rock Spring, Wyoming, died there on the 25th ult. of typhoid fever. His age was about 25 years. The remains were taken in charge by his brethren of the A.O.U.W., brought to Duncan and buried Sunday. Charles Krebbs, a brakeman running on the local freight between here and Omaha, was fatally injured while on duty yesterday (Tuesday) morning at Schuyler, 7:30. While coupling, he fell under the cars, and both legs were cut off, one near the trunk, the other just above the knee. Yesterday morning Mr. Krebbs was still living, but it was not supposed that he could long survive, his injuries were so great. Mr. Krebbs was forty-five years old, and had been in the employ of the Union Pacific railroad for the past twenty years. Every man who helps in the running of a train, exercises life-courage all the time, because at any moment his life may pay the penalty of a slight mishap. How much mankind owe to the heroic men who ever day face the terrors of life! Later--Just before going to press, we learn that Mr. Krebbs died at 11 o'clock a.m., Tuesday. |
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Wednesday night of last week at about 9:30, while Mr. Pfeifer was returning home from Columbus, the incoming B.& M. passenger train struck his wagon, a piece of the hay rack striking the engineer in the face. Sheriff Bynres held an inquest with E.O. Rector, G.A. Schroeder, J.L. Paschal, A.R. Miller, J.M. Honahan and D.J. Chestnutwood as jury. The body was found lying on the west side of the track horribly bruised; the right leg broken in several places; the left leg broken and the hip bone dislocated; both arms broken also his back and ribs. Death is thought to have been instantaneous. The fact that the body was found on the west side of the track and the wagon and hay rack on the other side, led the jury to believe that Mr. Pfeifer had noticed his danger and was trying to get out at the hind end of the wagon when the accident occurred. The jury rendered a verdict in accordance with the facts, and further found "from the evidence obtained thtat the railroad employes are in no way responsible for his death." Mr. Pfeifer was forty years old and leaves a wife and four children, who have the heartfelt sympathy of the community in their affliction. The worst wreck on the U.P. in years. The three men killed Wednesday morning of last week at 5:25 in the wreck at Silver Creek were: Samuel Hindman, engineer, married and aged 52 years. William Ronan, fireman, married and leaves a wife with several children. William B. Shannon, brakeman, married. All were residents of Omaha. John A. Griffing, also of Omaha, is seriously injured. The collision was between regular westbound freight train No. 27, and an extra westbound stock train, the former running into the rear of the latter, those killed riding on the engine of the second train when it plunged into the extra. The two trains were running about five minutes apart and were going at a rate of about forty miles an hour, before the station was reached. At Silver Creek, says the Bee, the extra stopped and the rear brakeman was sent back to signal the second train. The caboose and four freight cars were crumbled into small pieces. Engineer Hindman was thrown back into the tender, crushed by falling coal, and badly scalded. Fireman Ronan wa pinned in between the locomotive and the tender, the lower part of his body being crushed in a terrible manner. He died at 9 Wednesday morning. Brakenman Shannon was riding on the engine at the time and died Wednesday afternoon. Locomotive No. 774 was pretty badly smashed, the pilot torn off and all the light work about the forward part of the engine demolished. Saturday evening a boy named Albert Dierks was killed by a train on the Union Pacific at Fremont. He was holding on to the side of a car, and trying to jump off just before he reached the stock chute and was struck by the chute, falling under the wheels. The boy's mother is almost prostrated over the affair. If other boys in other towns would profit by Albert's mishap, he will not have died in vain. Saturday at nearly noon as Thomas Dischner (a young man about 25 years of age), and his mother, Margaret Dischner, were coming south in a one-horse, covered buggy, at the Union Pacific crossing near Schroeder's mill, the fast-mail train from the east struck between horse and buggy, killing the mother almost instantly--dying before the hospital was reached, a few blocks away. In the collision Thomas got rolled up tightly in their wraps which were in the buggy, was caught on the pilot of the engine, where grasped a hot pipe with his left hand, the only one he had any use of at the time, and was thus carried to the depot, where the train stopped, and he was cared for. His left hand and glove were partly roasted by hanging on to the hot iron. The young man has been removed to St. Francis hospital where he is being cared for. His most serious injuries are to the spine and hip, but it is thought he will recover. The funeral of Mrs. Dischner took place Monday forenoon from the Catholic church, attended by a large number of friends. The buggy in the accident was a complete wreck; the horse's back was broken, and he was killed outright. The coroner's jury, while fixing the responsibility for the accident upon the railroad company, does not blame the crew; the view of the crossing was obstructed by a long string of freight cars, so that the approaching train could not be seen. A very sad accident occurred Sunday afternoon here in the B.& M. yards near the ice-house of the company. Mrs. Catharine Bear, an aged German woman, a resident of this city for many years, while going toward her home from church, when passing near a caboose, standing on the track, cars were thrown against the other end of the train, which was being made up, knocking her down and mangling her horribly, severing the lower limbs from the body and causing almost instant death--one gasp of breath was all she was noticed to take before death came to her relief. Her home was on the street north of the court house. Mrs. Louis Stracke of Stuart, Neb., a daughter of deceased, has been notified. Augusta Hruska, about 24 years of age, daughter of John Hruska of Midland precinct, Colfax county, while attempting to cross the crossing east of Wells' mill, Schuyler, Monday, was struck by No. 102 fast mail on the Union Pacific, which was about two hours late, and killed instantly. She was a dressmaker. Walter Long was found dead by the Union Pacific track about one and a half miles east of Clarks last Friday morning in a mangled condition, having been run over by a train in the night. The left arm was almost severed from the body and he was badly cut about the head and many bones broken. He probably fell from the train in the night. The deceased is a son of G.W. Long of Lexington, Nebr., and he had been employed here for a month by O.L. Baker as cook for his hay-makers. Money was found on his person. The parents were notified, and the body, after embalming, was shipped to Lexington for burial. Charles S. McCaffrey, conductor on Union Pacific freight train No. 19, was very severely pinched about 1 o'clock Wednesday morning, at Millard station, and taken to St. Joseph hospital in Omaha, where he died at 4 o'clock Thursday afternoon. The Omaha Bee gives this brief account of the happening: "At Millard a drawhead was pulled out between the waycar and the Markel commissary car and he had gone in between the cars to fix it, when, it is said, a train came up from behind, bumping the waycar and crushing the conductor's chest." Peter J. McCaffrey and Mrs. R.L.Rossiter, brother and sister of the injured man, went from here on receiving a telegram, and stayed to the funeral, which took place Saturday. We are informed that the deceased was about 40 years old; had been a former resident here engaged with the Union Pacific for about twenty years, the past six or seven having lived at Omaha. He leaves a wife and three children, their residence being on South Eleventh street, Omaha. Mr. McCaffrey was well and favorably known here, and the family have the sympathy of all in their severe affliction. |
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Saturday last, on the arrival of the passenger train from Albion at the depot here, the community was shocked by the news that just a few minutes before, Mr. and Mrs. Josiah McFarland had instantly lost their lives, being struck dead and most fearfully mangled, at the third crossing west of the Fish pond, on the Union Pacific branch just beyond the city limits. The public wagon road at this point runs north and south, and makes with the railroad track an angle of about forty-five degrees. Besides the fireman and the aged couple in their buggy, there were two little children of Mr. Stabb who saw the accident at close range--George McFarland, son of the aged couple, from his farm, seeing the train, the buggy, the cloud of dust and the stopping of the train, was nearly beside himself with apprehension as to what had happened. The train was stopped at a little east of the next crossing, the bodies taken from the engine's pilot where they were lying side by side, placed in the baggage car, and from there taken in charge by Mr. Gass, the undertaker, and prepared for burial at his establishment. The buggy was torn to pieces, and was disengaged from the staid old horse, that immediately started back for home, and was met a short distance from the wreck by George McFarland. Coroner Metz drove down from Humphrey Sunday morning, summoned a jury consisting of Ed. Rossiter, August Dietrichs, Fred. Curtis, J.E. Kaufmann, Horace Ward and Ed. Hoare, who met at the court house, and heard testimony. George B. McFarland testified, (besides as related above) that he found on the body of his mother, a watch that had stopped at 1:15. He thought the train was a little late, but was not sure of that. Both father and mother were hard of hearing. Engineer F.B. Wambaugh, mainly in answer to questions, stated that the engineer's place is at the right side of the cab. There were no trees to obstruct the view. The train left Oconee square on time and they were running on time. It was very near to the crossing before he knew anything of the buggy, the fireman, on the left side of the cab calling his attention, the fireman being the only one who could see the buggy. Two long and two short whistles were given, and the sand used, but were too near the crossing to prevent the accident. The east-bound train can from this point be seen at least four miles, half way to Oconee. Fireman William Moran testified as to the usual signals given at both the crossings; to seeing the buggy and its occupants from his place in the cab of the engine; to calling the attention of the engineer to his own impression that the folks were going to keep on the north side of the railroad; to Mr. McFarland's pulling on the lines and striking the horse with them, which did not change his gait; to the engine striking between the wheels of the buggy, the man and woman slightly turning to look at the engine. Conductor Hugh Compton knew that something was wrong when the alarms were given and the train stopped. He saw both bodies as they lay on the pilot with some parts of the buggy. The train was running on time at the usual rate of speed. In answer to a question by George McFarland, as to how long it took to stop the train when running at its usual rate of speed, he said about the distance of five or six telegraph poles, and he guessed they were about ninety feet apart. The train stopped right on the next crossing. The engineer, being recalled, said that thirty miles an hour, is forty-four feet in a second; he judged that the two crossings were eighty to one hundred yards apart. There were four cars in the train. They stopped in less than a quarter of a mile. Brakeman A.E. McKenna didn't know much about the accident. The train was running at the usual rate; he knew by the whistles that something was wrong, and saw the horse running away from the train. After viewing the bodies in the upper room of Undertaker Gass' establishment, the jury returned to the court house and rendered a verdict in substance that the "death was accidental, and not due to any negligence on the part of the train crew." Josiah M. McFarland was born May 22, 1822. Mary Stanton was born October 1, 1825, both in Mercer county, Pennsylvania. They were united in marriage September 11, 1845, living in Pennslyvania until 1865, when they moved to Fairbault county, Minnestoa, removing from there to Columbus in 1877, where they have since resided, except about a year, during which they occupied a pre-emption in Cherry county, this state. As The Journal goes to press, 2 o'clock, Tuesday, funeral services are being held at the Baptist church, southeast corner of Sixteenth and North streets, Rev. Pierce officiating. We could readily believe that neither Mr. nor Mrs. McFarland had an enemy on earth. Their affection for each other and for their friends was singularly strong. On this side the seemingly very thin veil which separates the visible from the invisible, their last minutes on the earth were together and the probability is that death came so quickly that they were not conscious of its usual accompaniments of pain, anguish and depair. Thursday last, C. H. Galbraith, a prominent young farmer ten miles west of Schuyler was killed by a west bound freight train, at the Union Pacific depot in Schuyler. He attempted to get on the cars while the train was in motion and fell under the wheels; his left leg was cut off, and his right arm, right leg and head badly mangled. He had been in this city earlier in the evening, having some money, drinking, etc. When pulled out he was unconscious and in that condition died in a few minutes. He was about 22 years old, and leaves a wife. This community was shocked Monday morning on learning that one of its oldest citizens [William Speice] had been fatally injured by being struck by an engine attached to a through freight train on the Union Pacific, the accident taking place on L street, about six feet west of the sidewalk, the body striking the graveled earth, just south of the main-line track, and from appearances of effects upon the left side of the head and left shoulder, death was caused by the hard fall and the dragging. The scalp was torn from the skull, and the clothing from the shoulder, on the left side of the body. Our best information is that while walking near the track (he was exceedingly hard of hearing) not being aware of a train near, in making a step to cross the track he was picked up by the pilot, and for a moment stood upon it, on the north side (the engine was going eastward), and then by a sudden jerk was whirled to the ground on the south side of the engine. The spot is very close to where Mrs. Dischner was fatally injured. The body was taken to the residence, two blocks south on the same street, but the spirit had left its mortal tenement. Coroner Metz, who arrived at noon from Humphrey, summoned a jury consisting of Messrs. Held, Gluck, Roen, Asche, Funk and J. Greisen, who after hearing the testimony of Wm. Boraman, Mrs. Charles Ball and daughter, Miss Florence Ball, Peter Greisen, Louis Petsch and L. Merriman gave their verdict that, between the hours of 8 and 9 o'clock a.m., July 29, William Speice came to his death accidentally by being struck by a Union Pacific engine. The funeral services are to be held at the resident this morning at 10 o'clock, Rev. Weed officiating. William Speice was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, May 18, 1823. He came to Nebraska about thirty-four years ago, and this has virtually been the home of himself and wife ever since. They resided temporarily, a short time, in the Black Hills and in California. Within the past year they celebrated their golden wedding. A boy and a girl were born to them, but did not survive childhood. The widow survives to mourn the loss of a true and faithful companion. Deceased was an elder brother of Judge C.A. Speice, well known to many Journal readers. William Speice was a man who probably had no enemies. He attended strictly and conscientiously to his own affairs, and was highly respected by all who knew him. While thoroughly unobtrusive, he was true and faithful, and his last utterance--"Oh God! Lift me up," let us believe, is now fully answered by his presence in the land of the Leal. John Powers, formerly of this vicinity, now living near Albion, Boone county, returned from the west Sunday, bringing with him the remains of his third son, John, aged twenty years, taking the train here for home Monday morning, the funeral, we learn, to be this Tuesday. The accident causing his death was due to the spreading of rails on a railroad in Alberta, Canada. Four, including Mr. Powers and his son, were sitting on one seat at the time the car was thrown twenty feet into the ditch, the father not receiving a scratch, but the son suffering a fractured leg, from which, by blood poisoning, his death occurred Thursday last. The family will have the sincere sympathy of their old neighbors here in their severe affliction. Miles Ryan, a car repairer, was killed Thursday afternoon at 5 o'clock at Beauford, Wyoming, a station about twenty miles from Cheyenne, where he and his helper, John Stewart, were chaining up two gravel cars. While at work under the cars a train backed into them, Stewart losing both lower limbs and his left arm, and the wheels passing over Ryan's left limb and entire length of body. Stewart lived a few hours after the accident but Ryan died in less than a half hour. The railroad time keeper asked Mr. Ryan if he were hurt and he answered, "I am so sick; send for my wife and children." A few minutes later he passed away. The accident seems to have been caused out of gross carelessness as Mr. Ryan had placed the customary flag as a warning that they were repairing the car. Miles Ryan was born in county Limerick, Ireland, May, 1865. Coming direct from Ireland to Columbus thirteen years ago, he engaged to work for the Union Pacific in whose employ he has been ever since. He was married October 1st, 1891, to Miss Nellie Keating who, with his four children, survive him. The children are Joseph aged 9 years; Rowena aged 7; Helen aged 4 and Claire aged 2. He also leaves two brothers, Stephen and Joseph and one sister, Mrs. Pat Caffrey all living here, and his aged mother who lives in Ireland. The body was brought to his home here Saturday morning, funeral services being held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 in the Catholic church, Father Seraphim conducting the service, and also holding a solemn requiem mass at 7:30 Monday morning. Sunday afternoon the Modern Woodmen lodge, of which he was a member, attended the funeral in a body. The Hibernian society of which he was a former member also attended the services at the church. The pall-bearers were G.W. Phillips, Jerry Carrig, James Haney, M. Costello, Thomas Wade and L.H. Leavey. Mr. Ryan had been transferred to Cheyenne about a year ago and not knowing that he would be located there permanently had left his family in this city. A few weeks ago he wrote home that he desired to see his family, and asked them to come out to visit and arrangements were being made to have them with him in July, with a possibility of their remaining there to make their home, but death came suddenly, thus changing plans for the future. Monday evening at 8:30 while unloading a piano from a freight car south of the B.& M. depot, Herbert Way, who was employed as a helper by the company, received a blow on the side of the head from the handle of the truck on which the piano had just been loaded, that instantly took his life. The freight train was late in coming in, and the men were unloading goods as rapidly as possible. Herbert took the handle of the truck and attempted to turn it around and in doing so the weight of the piano was thrown forward, tipping piano and truck over, the handle of the truck striking the side of his head with the above sad result. There were a number of people about the depot who witnessed the accident. Warren Herbert Way was the eldest son, and second child of Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Way. He was born on the farm south of the city January 11, 1885. A few years ago the family moved to town and the most of his school days were passed in Columbus. Herbert was a boy of energetic disposition, and although but a young boy, he had accomplished a great deal, never allowing himself any idle moments. The last year he had been in the B.& M. employ, learning telegraphy and helping with the freight. Herbert had a quiet, gentle disposition and decided christian principles, and his influence among other young people has often been spoken of as unusual. He leaves besides his parents one sister, Mrs. Kittie Breese and a younger brother, Byron. Funeral services will be held at the home Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock. The family have the since sympathy of the entire community in their great loss. Thursday's Omaha World-Herald contained the following mention: "Jos. Fulmer, an old engineer for the Union Pacific, died yesterday at Mercy hospital, where he was taken some time since for treatment for kidney trouble. He was 71 years old and leaves a widow, one son, J. E. Fulmer of Columbus, Nebr., and three daughters, Mrs. George Nelson of Omaha, Mrs. Frank Pelser of Stanton, Nebr., and Mrs. L. Damon of Lynch, Nebr. Mr. Fulmer was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and of the English Lutheran church, where the funeral was held Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. G. W. Snyder officiating. |
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John, the 12-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wilcynski, met with a sad and fatal accident in the Union Pacific yards here last Wednesday afternoon. The engineer on a special freight train which was coming from the west seems to be the only one who witnessed the accident. He says the boy was walking along the track apparently watching the workmen at the coal chutes and unconscious of the train back of him, when he stepped upon the track and was almost instantly struck by the engine, which crushed several bones in the head and otherwise injured him, from which he died early Thursday morning. Funeral services were held Friday morning at 8 o'clock in the Catholic church, Rev. Father Rambert of Duncan officiating. No coroner's inquest was held. Mrs. Thomas Drapela of Schuyler was struck by the eastbound Overland Limited at 7 o'clock Friday evening and instantly killed. She stood in the center of the track watching a freight train and evidently did not hear the warning whistle. Her daughter was married in this city by Judge Ratterman in the afternoon and was on the train that killed the mother. This is the fourteenth victim that has met death at the same place in Schuyler owing to the trains passing through the town so rapidly. Oscar S. Mansfield met death while at his post of duty as brakeman for the Union Pacific, at Madison, Wednesday at 12:30 o'clock, in a most distressing manner. The freight train was an extra, under the charge of Conductor Mark Burke, and while switching in Madison six cars were uncoupled from the main train and sent down grade at a swift rate. It isthought that Mr. Mansfield walked to the end of the six cars and in the darkness of the night, not being able to see, and supposing that there was another car before him, stepped from the car. Footprints showing where he had lit on the ground were plainly seen. After falling, the end of the car struck and three him a distance of twenty-nine feet, breaking his back, both legs and severing the right hand from the arm. One strange thing concerning the accident is that the car that struck him was derailed and ran for several feet before stopping. The trainmen believe that this was done by the wheel of the car striking the heel of his shoe, and because the car was almost empty and therefore quite light. At an inquest held Wednesday afternoon in Madison the jury decided that Mansfield came to his death in an unavoidable accident. The remains were brought to Columbus Thursday night and taken to the Gass undertaking rooms where the body was prepared for burial, and then taken Friday to the home of his brother on Tenth street. Oscar S. Mansfield was born October 2, 1881, in Omaha. He was employed in the Union Pacific freight depot in this city from July last until the 10th of this month, when he was given the work of brakeman on extra freight trains on the branch roads. The young man was jubilant over securing the new position. The deceased leaves one brother living here, John Mansfield a switchman in the Union Pacific yards, and his father who resides at Archer, Iowa. He also has one sister and a brother in Omaha. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the home of the deceased's brother, Rev. Luce conducting the service. Among the floral offerings was a large broken wheel of beautiful design from the railroad employes. Pall bearers were selected from among his railroad associates, a number of whom marched to the cemetery at the head of the funeral procession, where the body was laid to rest. The following appeared in the Omaha World-Herald in regard to the death of a gentleman well known here, mention of which was made in our last week's issue: "Robert J. Gentleman, one of the oldest and best known locomotive engineers on the Union Pacific railway, died Friday morning at his home, 2458 South Twentieth street, of peritonits, following an operation for appendicitis. He will be bured this afternoon at 3 o'clock. The funeral services will be at his late residence. Mr. Gentleman for several years had been running the 'Colorado Special' passenger trains No.s 5 and 6. He was thoroughly like by his fellows and the officials of the road and was considered one of the best passenger engineers in the service of the company. He was a member of Patton lodge, Ancient order of United Workmen, and of the Brotherhood of Railway Engineers, both of which organizations will have charge of the funeral. He leaves a wife and six children." Felix Hammerquist was struck and instantly killed at the Olive street crossing by the engine hauling train No. 1 as it was nearing the depot here Sunday about 12:10 p.m. Mr. Hammerquist had left Jones' bakery for the Lindell hotel, where he was a boarder, and was seen to cross the tracks south of the depot and then turn about and walk west between the main line and side tracks. Some one called to him and as he glanced around the engine of No. 1, west bound, struck him on the left side of the head, throwing him against an engine of an eastbound, double-header freight, which was backing down to meet its train from the North street hydrant, on the side track. This engine dragged him about thirty feet then threw him under the wheels and severed his left arm. Felix Hammerquist was a young man 24 years of age and a Swede by birth. He came to America about one year and a half ago locating in Colorado, leaving there about four months ago when he came to Columbus to work in the tailor shop of C.A. Linstrum. He has one brother in Pennsylvania and a brother and uncle in Fort Collins, Colorado. Coroner Metz was notified of the accident and drove from his home in Humphrey to this place and held an inquest Sunday evening. Those on the jury were Louis Lachnit, L.F. Phillipps, Ed. Rossiter, F.A. Hagel, L. Plath and M. Murphy. The verdict was that death was caused by accident for which no one is held responsible. No word has yet been received form the young man's relatives and no arrangements have been made for his burial. A young man from 25 to 30 years of age, by name Richard O'Neill, died on the Overland train of the Union Pacific yesterday evening shortly before the train reached Columbus. His death was sudden and was apparently due to heart disease. He had about $20 in his pockets and a foreign postoffice order for over $400 in English money. He was on the way from San Francisco to New York City. The remains are in charge of Undertaker Gass and will be held here for several days while efforts are made to locate some relatives or friends of the dead man. He had a letter recommending him as a good and reliable employee, signed with a woman's name and not referring to the nature of his occupation. Mrs. Geo. Kilton received a message Tuesday announcing that her son, Cal. O'Daniels, had been killed in a railroad wreck out west somewhere. No particulars have been received. He was an engineer on a road in some of the northwestern states, and was well known to many of our olders [sic] citizens, as he was born and raised here. Switchman Killed Wednesday evening last about 8 o'clock, a switchman in the Union Pacific yards named Ben Vocht, was fatally injured, on the track in front of the Fleming. It is not known just how the accident took place, but it is supposed that he stumbled, fell, and was caught by the moving train. The calf of his left leg was cut open, the wheels passing along the left side crushing ribs and shoulder. He was pinned between the two wheels of the truck, and it was about twenty minutes before workmen succeeded in extricating him, which had to be done with jack-screws. He was taken to the depot near by, and Drs. Martyn, Evans and Clark called to tend him. Nothing, however, could be done except to relieve his pain by opiates, and he died at 12 o'clock. He had been here about a month, coming from Grand Island. He was about 26 years old, and was to have been married in two weeks to Miss Anna Redington of Lincoln. The remains were taken to Sanborn, Ia., Thursday, for interment, accompanied by Mrs. and Miss Redington. A Man Found Dead Monday afternoon about half past five Robert McCray found the body of a young man, probably 22 years of age, lying about a quarter of a mile west of the U.P. railroad bridge, at the foot of the embankment on the north side of the track. Notice was given to Agent Meagher, and Coroner A. Heintz with a jury consisting of J.C. Tiffany, O.L. Baker, F.J. Hauter, T.W. Resh, T. McTaggart and J.F. Berney were soon on the ground. The body was brought in a box car to the city, and a thorough examination made. There were bruises about the chest and hips and his testicles were crushed; Dr. Heintz is of the opinion that this last injury was the immediate cause of death. When McCray found the body, it was yet warm and froth was issuing from the mouth. Sheriff Caldwell, who assisted the coroner, took charge of the few personal effects found. There was a letter, stamped for mailing, directed to Miss Anna Graham, 510 Mery street, Denver, Col., dated at Woodburn, Neb., a post office in Loup township. The letter was signed by Rosie Kurth, Genoa, Neb. A cabinet photograph of the same young lady was found, with a ring and pocket knife and a memorandum book, in which was noted a reference to Sol C. Towslee and J.L. Squires. The remains were removed to Henry Gass's undertaking rooms and prepared for burial. The jury instructed Sheriff Caldwell to go to Woodburn and learn what he could. It is difficult to conjecture just how the young man came to his death, whether he had fallen from the car, or whether he tried to board the train and was thrown, or whether he had been murdered, which seems likely, as there was evidence of considerable struggling where the body was found. It has not been so very long since a dead body was found near this same place under somewhat suspicious circumstances. Two men who were on the ground, saw the man's wounds, etc., declare it as their firm belief that he had been on a train, may be trying to steal a ride, and had been kicked off, while the train was in motion. As we go to press, Sheriff Caldwell has not returned from Woodburn. The name of the man found dead last Monday week near the west end of the R.R. Loup bridge, was Frank H. Hartford, son of Harrison Hartford of Merrick county. Miss Kurth said that Sunday evening, about 5 o'clock was the last she saw Hartford alive. He intended to walk to Duncan and take a train for Fremont. He was seen as late as 10 o'clock Sunday night sitting on the railroad platform at Duncan. He told some one there that he was going to board a train for Fremont. These facts Sheriff Caldwell learned on his trip to Woodburn, and the coroner's jury decided that Hartford came to his death from bodily injuries inflicted in a manner to the jurors unknown. Return to the Nebraska Railroad Main Page
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