Clark - Elizabeth - 1883
Source:
Crawfordsville Daily Argus 13 March 1883
One of the most sickening
accidents ever recorded occurred yesterday afternoon shortly after 3 o'clock at
the crossing of the IB&W RR with the Yountsville gravel road. The Alamo hack
driven by Joseph Green containing Mrs. Elizabeth Clark and Milton P. Rush all of
the little village of Alamo were enroute home after having spent the day in
this city and when about to cross the track were struck by a passenger train
running perhaps not less than 30 miles per hour. As soon as possible the train
was brought to a stop and the most sickening sight presented itself so the
train men and passengers, the first to attract the eye was all that was left of
Mrs. Clark then the body of Rush around both laid fragments of wheels and other
parts of the ill-fated hack, farther east on the track and on the north side
were the splintered bed and top of the vehicle under which were the remains of
Green while just at the crossing laid the dead horses. From the crossing for
more than a 100' west were fragments of the wreck strewn along the track. The
conductor, Jas. Braley with the assistance of other train men and passengers
lifted the bodies of the unfortunate to the train when they were taken to
Waynetown. Rush and Mrs. Clark showed some signs of life until after arriving
there but soon expired. Green was most likely killed instantly. At Waynetown,
the remains were placed in the depot and the sad news telegraphed to this city.
The driver of the hack, known as Joe Green was a man of more than ordinary
physique, not remarkably bright, a daring fellow but good natured. His home was
at Alamo, more than likely his carelessness was the cause of the accident. It
was rumored that he was drunk or had been drinking but this rumor is
contradicted by those who saw him as he left town. His head was crushed, the
left forearm broken and left thigh smashed besides internal injuries. Mrs.
Elizabeth Clark, who resided near Alamo was the mother of Mrs. N.J. Clodfelter
of this city and had spent the day with her daughter, brining with her a little
child of Mrs. Clodfelter's who had been paying her granddaughter a visit.
Besides being internally injured Mrs. Clark's head was badly crushed not
however about the face. Milton P. Rush, one of the victims, was well known all
over Montgomery County. For about a year he had been running a tile factory
near Alamo. He was 49 years of age and was married. A wife and two sons survive
him. His injuries were internal wounds and his left side crushed. On both sides
of the track where the horrible accident happened, are sign boards, 'Railroad
Crossing' and usually trains approaching sound an alarm and it was so with t he
train yesterday. Several persons heard 3 or 4 shrill whistles from the engine
but no one save the engineer and fireman could swear positively that such was for
this crossing. The track is on an inclined plain from half a mile east of the
crossing where the accident happened, to the Sugar Creek bridge and the west
bound trains always run at great speed. As the crossing is in a cut, it is a
difficult matter to see an approaching train and unless one stops to listen
would be none the wiser if no whistle was given. More than likely the horses
had just stepped over the track, and the engine struck the vehicle about the
enter as the hind feet of the horses were ground off, besides being badly
mangled about the hips, the wagon was ground off, besides being badly mangled
about the hips, the wagon was ground into splinters, showing that it must have
been struck about midway between the wheels. James F. Higgins, of Alamo, came
to the city in the morning in the hack and was in the vehicle again to return
home when some acquaintances insisted on his staying for the show last night.
He got out, but afterward thinking he must go, ran to catch the hack but it had
just left. Had he caught it, another would have been added to the list of the
dead. -- kbz
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Source: Crawfordsville
Daily Argus 13 March 1883
Coroner Ensminger was holding an inquest today over
the bodies of those killed in the accident yesterday. -
kbz