Roberts - Robert
Source: Crawfordsville Evening Argus July 25, 1883
Robert ROBERTS a simple minded young man living at New Ross was killed by an IB & W west bound freight train yesterday morning. The following are the facts: Roberts had a passion for playing about the railroad track and he attempted to run across the track in front of the train and missing his calculation as to how near the train was was struck by the engine and thrown about 30 feet away. Both arms, one leg, four ribs and hip bone broken. He lived about a half an hour. The unfortunate boy does not seem to have any settled habitation, his father being dead and his mother living some distance away. He ate and slept wherever he could get a chance. Dr. Ensminger was summoned and rendered his decision in accordance with the facts stated above. kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Journal July 28, 1883 p 3
A sad accident happened here on last Tuesday morning. Bob Roberts of unsound mind in attempting to run in front of a moving freight train was struck and thrown about 30 feet. He lived about 45 minutes. Coroner Ensminger was called and while nobody was to blame but Roberts, the citizens think that freight trains run too fast through town. kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Review July 28, 1883 p 5
Last Thursday morning Robert ROBERTS was killed at New Ross by a western bound freight train on the IB & W Road. Coroner Ensminger was summoned to investigate the affair and an inquest held by him resulted in finding that the killing was accidental. Roberts, according to evidence, wa a feeble-minded man, about 23 years of age. He had a passion for being about railway trains and depots, and was in the habit of boarding freight trains at every opportunity. At half past 8 on Tuesday morning he was standing near the post office at New Ross when he heard a train approaching from the east. He at once ran south towards the railroad track and in attempting to cross to the south side he was struck by the locomotive and thrown a distance of 30 feet onto a side track. He was unconscious from the time he was struck and only lived a few minutes. Roberts had a brother living near New Ross and his mother resides about 5 miles from that place. No blame was attached to the railroad company as the employees had no reason to ancipate such an attempt to cross the track. kbz