Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 63, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 November 1917 — HORRIBLE DEATH OF A YOUNG MAN [ARTICLE]

HORRIBLE DEATH OF A YOUNG MAN

John W. Rush Struck by Tram and Fatally Hurt. TEAM OF HORSES KILLED Crossing Gates Were Open and Young Farmer Drove Directly in Front of Fast Train. One of the most horrible accidents in Jasper county in many years occurred' Saturday afternoon at the McKinley avenue crossing of the Monon and cost the life of John W. a young farmer of Newton township. The crossing gates were open and Rush drove squarely in front of northbound passenger train No. 6, which was due here at 3:31 but was several minutes late. Rush was driving a team of large black Ihorses hitched to a farm wagon. The horses were both killed and the wagon was demolished. One horse was thrown about twenty feet and the other carried for about 100 feet down the track. The young man suffered a fracture of the skull an(l his right foot was «ut off just abbv4 the ankle. He wais also cut and bruised in several other places. Mr. Rush had cotae to town Saturday afternoon to do some trading and had just procured some groceries and was presumably going across the tracks to get some lumber when the accident happened. The accident was witnessed by several people nearby and also a number who were at . the depot awaiting the train. A hurried call was sent for Dr. Washburn and the Wright ambulance, both arriving Within a very few moments. The young man was yet alive but breathing heavily. He was placed in the ambulance and taken to the county hospital as quickly as possible. but in these few moments he succumbed to his injuries. The fracture of the skull at the base of the brain caused his death. The body was then removed to the Wright undertaking establishment, where it was prepared for burial. On Sunday afternoon the body was removed to the home of a brother, Dee Rush, at Remington. Funeral services were held at the Christian Church there Monday afternoon and burial made In the Remington cemetery. Rev. Asa McDaniel of this city, who had officiated at the young man’s marriage only a few months ago, conducted the services.. Mr. Rush was a native of this eotmty, having been born at Remington twenty-two years ago last He was a son of John ftush, formerly of Remington but now a-merchant of Inwgod, Indiana. On March 7 of this year deceased was imarried to Miss Bessie Irene ifcfalfresh, daughter of George McElfresh of Barkley township. They established their home on the Shipman farm in Newton township, owned by Mr. McElfresh, and had every prospect for happiness and prosperity before them. The young man was formerly a member of Company M, and served several months on the border with them. While there he suffered a severe attack of rheumatism and was discharged, returning 'home a few weeks ahead of the company, To every appearance the accident is wholly chargeable to the crossing guard, George Gorham,. who failed

to see the approach of the passenger train and close the crossing. Two freight trains were switching in the vicinity of the crossing and it is said that the smoke from these Obscured his vision of the track. We do not charge negligence on the part of the crossing guard, yet we have been advised by a Monon employe that he had been reported negligent ’ on previous occasions. He has no doubt been peripitted to retain the place through sympathy, having suffered the loss of one arm several years ago. Perry Washburn, driver of the Indian oil truck, was a close witness of the accident. He was following Mr. Rush’s wagon and as the latter drove onto the track Mr. Washburn pulled to the right to pass him. Just at this instant the crash came and by only a hair’s breadth did Mr. Washburn escape a similar fate. As usual, a string of box cars on the south track and coming right up to the crossing on the east obscured any view of the track. Mr. Gorham states that while he was watching the two freight trains a cloud of smoke from one freight engine working in the block east of the crossing prevented him from seeing the train until it was within fifty feet of the crossing, and that Mr. Rush was preceded by another rig and followed closely by a third, making it impossible for him to close the gates. Another local engine was working in the block west of the crossing, and it has been the custom when this situation prevailed to switch off the electric bell on the watch tower, else no one at all could get across as it would ring continually, therefore the bell was not ringing at the time the accident occurred. It. is also stated that none of the trains whistle for any of these crossings.