Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 September 1891 — “Broadripple” Killed [ARTICLE]

“Broadripple” Killed

Monticello Herald John Featherstone, better known among his fellow employes on the Monon Route as “Broadripple,” was killed -at Wilder’s Station between Monon and Michigan City last Thursday by falling between two freight cars while in the discharge of his duties as brakesman. He was an occupant of the jail here a few days thia summer for an assault on Chris. Middlestpdt at Monon and at the time of his death he was under bond to appear at this term of the circuit court for mayhem, his blow having seriously disfigured Middlestadt’s eye. He was a man of powerful build and is said to have been engaged in several prize fights in his lifetime. At the time of the accident he was standing between the cars with one foot on the lower part of each car, when the train started, causing him to lose his footing and fall to the ground. Two wheels passed over his chest and one arm, crushing him internally, z but strange to say, not a bone was fractured, nor was the skin even broken. He lived about fifteen minutes after he was picked up but only spoke once, and that to ask for a drink of water. His remains were taken to Broadripple, where had lived and whence he received the name by which he was commonly known.