Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 249, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 November 1917 — JOHN RUSH GROUND TO PIECES BY MONON TRAIN SATURDAY [ARTICLE]

JOHN RUSH GROUND TO PIECES BY MONON TRAIN SATURDAY

Switching Freights on Tracks Near Crossing Blamed by George Gorham, Flagman, As Being Responsible.

Witnesses to Tragedy Terrible Tragedy Occurred at Mckinley Avenue Crossing of the Monon Railroad About 4 P. M. i Saturday, When John Rush, Well I Known Young Farmer, Was Struck By Northbound Passenger Train, I Due Here at 3:31. Gates Up As Victim Drove Onto Track. One Leg Severed From Body and Bad Gash Made in Back Part of Unfortunate Man'r Head. John Rush, familiarly known as “jack,” met with a horrible death at about 3:50 o’clock Saturday afternoon, when the northbound passenger train, twenty minutes late, due in this city at 3:31 p. m., crashed into him and the team he was driving at the McKinley Avenue crossing. Death was almost instantaneous, but a spark of life remained when his mangled remains were-piched up and he was rushed to the county hospital where he died a few minutes later. Mel Abbott, Miss Madaline Abbott, Elzie Grow and several others were eye witnesses of the tradgedy. The accident was one of the most terrible ever recorded in this city. Rush had been in Rensselaer on business, and at the time of the accident was bn his way to the Donnelly Lumber Company, just north of the Monon tracks, to purchase some lumber, which he intended to use on his farm. —He was driving.a light farm wagon. He was driving slowly when he approached the tracks. The gates were up, indicating to him that everything was all right. The team crossed onto the itracks, just as the gates closed behind them ana was directly in the path of the onrushing train, when Rush realized his plight. He pulled frantically at the reins in an attempt to back the wagon off the track, but his efforts were in vain. The train was traveling at a rather high rate of speed and the engineer, had no chance to bring it to a standstill in time to avoid the collision. The wagon was overturned and Rush thrown directly beneath the wheels of the train. The horses were killed instantly. The body of Rush when found, was just clear of the tracks at the rear of the train, with one leg severed and a terrible, ghastly wound in the victim’s head. At the time of the accident there were two freight trains switching on

the sidings, one just to the north of the crossing and the other just to the west, and this is held responsible for the accident by George Gorham, the flagman, who stated that he was so busily engaged in watching the freight trains that he did not notice the approach of the passenger train in time to lower the gates ahead of Rush. Gorham also states that when he attempted to lower the gates they stuck and consequently he was unable to get them down in time. Mr. Gorham was a nervous wreck following the accident and went to his home immediately. Considering the fact that Mr. Gorham has been on duty in the capacity as a watchman for so long "h time, it makes it appear that his negligence was responsible for the tragedy, as he knew that the train was due at any time and he should have been on the watch for it. There have been many complaints in the past of his work and other tragedies have been narrowly averted when automobiles and other vehicles have been allowed to cross onto the tracks and then'fiave the gates closed behind them. Gorham was discharged once by the railroad company for alleged negligence,—while on duty, and it appears that a more responsi-. ble man should be placed in his, position. Gorham is a poor man' and probably for this reason was given the position of a flagman, but it would seem that if the lives of our citizens are to be placed in jeopardy, this fact should no longer be taken into consideration. The crossing at this point is a dangerous one. To the west of the crossing the view to those wishing to cross the right-of-way is obstructed. The view from the east end is clear, except when freight trains are using the siding,

as was f bp rase Saturday Rush was 23 years of age and was the son of John Rush, a merchant of Inwood, Ind., who arrived here Sunday afternoon.He had not long been a resident of this county. He was married on the sixth of last March to Bessie McElfresh, a daughter of George McElfresh, hnd since that time has been living on a farm owned by his father-in-law, west of Rensselaer. —He was a splendid young fellow and was one of the most progressive young farmers in the county, and made friends with whom ever he met, and his untimely end will be mourned by the entire community. He was a member of Company M untli discharged by Captain Tuteur on account of physical disability, while on the Mexican border. The remains were prepared for burial and taken to Remington, the former home of the deceased, Sunday afternoon. The funeral is being held at the Christian church in that place this Monday afternoon and burial will be made in the Remington cemetery. ’ ‘ J