Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 October 1902 — MONON IS SUED. [ARTICLE]

MONON IS SUED.

Twenty Thousand Dollars Asked for Damages. As a result of a recent railroad crossing accident at Frankfort, the Monon is defendant in two damage suits, aggregating $20,000. A few weeks ago Gail Nipper, a young lad, while crossing the track before an oncoming train, caught his foot in a hole in the crossing and was unable to extricate it. A bystander attempted to rescue the boy but was unsuccessful and to save his life bent the boy backward over the track, letting the leg rest on the rail. He had barely time to do this when the train thundered along, cutting the boy’s leg entirely off but saving his life. One is for $15,000 by J. A. Seawright, next friend of the injured boy, and the other is for $5,000 by William Nipper, father of the boy. Seawright’s complaint is in three paragraphs. It is charged that the company was guilty of negligence in running its train at a higher rate of speed than that permitted by a city ordinance; failing to keep the crossing in proper condition, and negligence in permitting the existence of a hole at the crossing in which the boy’s foot was caught. Mr. Nipper’s complaint is for the loss of service of his son. He claims such service of the boy is due hijp until the lad is of age.