COONS - Chester
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal, January 27, 1905
Chester F. Coons and Jefferson Davidson, both residents of this city, were killed by a Wabash passenger train shortly before 12 o'clock Thursday at West Point. For a short time the two unfortunate men have been in the employ of Joe Bridge, a horse dealer of Attica. Thursday morning they started to this city in a single buggy, to which was hitched two horses belonging to Ford Greer. They also had three horses which were delivered to a man west of West Point. They had preformed their duty and while returning to the city failed to see or hear the fast Wabash west bound passenger train No. 19, which was late and which was running at the rate of sixty miles an hour. The vehicle the men were in was struck squarely by the pilot of the engine and reduced to kindling wood. The two men were thrown from the track and their death was instantaneous. Conn's head was almost severed from his body and Davidson's body was badly mutilated. The mangled remains of the two men were picked up and carried to the little freight house near the scene of the accident. The fatal accident happened at the crossing just east of the depot. Both men were well and favorably known in Lafayette. They had lived here for many years and had spent nearly all their lives working around horses. Davidson was about 45 years of age and was a hard working industrious man. He leaves a wife and several children who live on south Third street. His wife was prostrated when she heard the news of her husband's death. Coroner Nesbit went to the scene of the accident this afternoon. The two horses belonging to Mr. Greer were killed. The accident is the worst that has happened at any crossing in this city for some time - Lafayette Courier. Davidson was a resident of this city ten years ago and bought and sold horses for Walter brothers. He has a number of relatives in this city and north of it near Cherry Grove. The remains will be brought here for burial on the afternoon train via the Monon. Funeral arrangements have not been completed. – Kim H