Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 November 1915 — FORMER RESIDENT KILLED. [ARTICLE]

FORMER RESIDENT KILLED.

E. G. Haff Victim of Auto Accident at Gibson, Hl., Last Thursday. E. G. Haff, a former well known resident of Goodland and for a short time a resident of Rensselaer some twelve or fifteen years ago, moving from this place to Valparaiso, where he engaged in the hitch barn business, was killed at Gibson, 111., last Thursday, where his automobile was struck by a Michigan Central train. The Lake County Times says of the accident: Blinded by a drizzling rain and a light fog, Edwin G. Haff. 68 years old, a retired farmer residing at Valparaiso, Ind., was fatally injured shortly before six o’clock yesterday evening when his Ford automobile was caught on the Kennedy avenue crossing, east of Hammond by an eastbound Michigan Central passenger train. He died while being rushed to the hospital. How the accident occurred no one knows as there were no eye-wit-nesses. Undertaker Charles Stewart of Hammond, states that he saw the train go by the crossing but did not see anything of Haff or his auto. He did not know that there had been an accident until he was informed that a man had been killed when he reached his office. It is thought that Haff either tried to beat the train across the crossing or that the engine of his machine died, it is estimated that the train was traveling at a speed of twentyfive miles an hour. The Ford was hurled, a distance of 15 feet down the track and was demolished. Haff was mortally wounded. He was placed in the baggage car and died while being taken to the’Michigan Central depot at Hammond. Where Haff had been or where he was going has not been learned. -He is quite well to do and lived with his daughter, Mrs. Sadie Dodd at Valparaiso, Ind. He is also survived by a daughter. Miss Florence Haff, of Toronto, Canada, who was notified of the accident last night. Coroner Dr. J. A. Graham took charge of the remains and the body was removed to Stewart’s morgue. Funeral arrangements have not been completed. John Tenkely, 4751 Alexander avenue, East Chicago, was a witness to the fatal automobile accident. He was driving in the same direction as the unfortunate autoist, and contends that a watchman and gates are needed at the dangerous crossing. He believes the driver met death because the breaks on his car did not work and the machine skidded on the w’et road. Tenkeley wanted to take the injured man to East Chicago or Hammond in his car, but the railroads waited until another train arrived. The East Chicago man says jt was fifteen minutes before the man. still alive, was placed on the train.