Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 September 1892 — The Coroner's Inquest. [ARTICLE]

The Coroner's Inquest.

On the Victims of Last Week’s Railroad Accident

Coroner R. P. Benjamin concluded last Monday afternoon his inquiry into the accident of last Tuesday evening which resulted in the death of Knicely and Emily J. Bennett, as described last week. The hearing was held In the courthouse. The inquest was begun the evening of the accident, at Wright’s undertaking establishment, in the presence of the dead bodies. At this first hearing Wallace W. Murray, of Barkley Tp., and a neighbor of the parties, fend Benj. Tuteur, of Rensselaer, testified as to the identity of the bodies.

H. Y. Weaver, who helped prepare the bodies for burial and the examination, testified as to their personal appearance, their clothing and effects. These last comprised, among other things $13.20 upon Mr. Bennett’s person, and $8,24 on his wife’s. W. N. Jones, of Rensselaer, was on the train. He heard the engineer whistle for the station and also for the road cr< ssing, but did not hear the “danger * whistle; but it might have been g ven and he not heard it. Thinks the train stopped 200 yards west of place where accident occured. Mr. Bennett was dead when he got to him. Saw Mrs. Bennett draw her last breath.

Henry Murray, of Monon, was on the train. Mrs. Bennett was still moving her arms when he first Saw her. Did not hear any whistles but was very busy talking. These were all the witnesses examined at the first hearing. The following gave their evidence Monday afternoon: Dr. M. B. Alter, of Rensselaer, described the injuries on both bodies, not differing materially from, last week’s published account, except that he said the woman’s lower jaw was broken in two places and that there were some indications that her back was broken, but did not examine closely.

Isaac Olds, of Frances viUe, father-in-law of Frank Osborne, of Rensselaer, was on the train, Ist passenger car, arid by an open window. Heard long whistle for the station and soon after several short whistles. Train, stopped 15 or 20 rods beyond the crossing.

Ira Osborne and Willard Warfield, of Rensselaer, and grand-sons of Mr. Olds, were with him on the train. Ira heard the whistles, don’t know how many; heard the “danger” whistle and therefore put his head out of lie window to see what was on the track, and saw Bennett’s body fall, and told his grandfather soiriebody was killed. Did not hear bell but is sure about the whistles.

Willard Warfield also heard the whistling as though cattle were on the track. Did not hear bell. C. D. Nowels. Was in his office near depot. Heard the train whistle several times. It might have beeu the “alarm” whistle.

J. Q. Justice, of Indianapolis, the conductor of the train, was in smoker. Heard the whistle for Rensselaer, then for the road crossing, also two danger signals, then felt the air brakes and the reversing of the engine. Looked for stock on right hand (north) side, but saw nothing. When train stopped heard a passenger say they had run over somebody. Walked back and found bodies. Thinks engineer used all precaution he could. Four cars in train. Under most favorable circumstances a train can be stopped in twice its length. The time between the station whistle and the crossing whistle was 2 or 3 seconds, and the danger signal came very soon after. Heard no bell. Saw

nothing to obstruot the view of the track from the road where the team approached it exoept a board fence. Thos. A. Kline, of Indianapolis, the engineer. Been engineer 11

years; on passenger engines 4 years. Always shuts Off steam at the water tank, 1 mile east of station, and the momentum of train carries it to depot. At the whistling post gave a long whistle for station! and'2 short onei for stop. Then whistled for road crossing. Saw team approaching -the the crossing, lyJrsep on a trot when first seen. Cave 4 short whistles. Saw man begin to pull back on his horses when 50 feet from the track, but they would, not stop. Put on air brakes and reversed the engine. Team stopped right on track. Man kept pulling back but horses reared and would not back; last saw of man he was still pulling back. The horses sprang forward just as the engine struck them. Train 300 or 400 feet from crossing when stopped. Hanning 35 miles an hour. He rang the bell until he began the alarm. The fireman was out of the cab attending to the fire. He first saw the team when he whistled for the crossing.

O. W. Brooks, the fireman. The whistle Sounded for station, for crossing and for the alarm. When first Siw team it was about 300 or j 400 feet ahead and the horses were on a trot Horses stopped on track, man was pulling back and horses seemed unmanageable. The air brakes were put on and the engine reversed. Running 30 to 35 miles per hour. There seemed to be a clear view. Harry McGee was pumping water at the tank. Heard the whistles, about as described by the previous witnesses. The track is straight and the view clear.

0. Gr. Spitler, town clerk, produced map of Rensselaer. The scene of the accident is about 900 feet east of and beyond the town limits. It is just half a mile from the street west of the depot platform. J. W. Paxton. Was on depot platform. Did not hear whistles but was busy talking. Saw team on track, and a man in the wagon seat. The whistles might have sounded. “ Abe Simpson was on his store platform near the depot. Did not hear whistle, but the wind was blowing briskly from the west.

O. S. Dale, landlord of Nowe s | House, was near east end of depot > platform. Saw the team approaching crossing. Could not see if they were unmanageable. Horses walkingwhea first saw them. May have whistled but thinks not. Don’t remember about the wind. Rosa Nickelson, daughter of Mrs* Bennett, was on train. Rensselaer had been called and she was standing up when accident oooured. Felt a jar but did hear whistle or bell. Alvin R. Clark was at depot, and saw accident. Team was on track when he first saw them, and walking. Coroner Benjamin handed in his verdict yesterday morning, reading ah follows:

Coroner’s Verdict. State of Indiana, ( oc. Jasper County. ) Be it remembered that on the thirtieth day of August, 1892, information was given me that the dead bodies of a man and woman were at the Railroad depot, at Rensselaer, in said county and state, and that they were supposed to have come to their deaths by violence or casualty; and to ascertain so far as possible, the cause and circumstances of their deaths, witnesses were called and their sworn statements were reduced to writing, properly signed and filed in the office of the county clerk. This evidenee is somewhat conflicting, owing, ho doubt, to the considerable distance some of the witnesses were from the scene of the tragedy. I have care fully weighed the testimony. Wherefore I find decedents names to be Knicely Bennett and Emeline Bennett, his wife, and that they came to their death by being knocked from the track of the L. N. A. A C. Railroad, at a crossing one half mile east of the town of Rensselaer, by a locomotive in rapid motion. I also find that the engineer, Thomas E. Kline, did all that it was possible for him to do under the circumstances to prevent the loss of life, and that no blame can be attached to the Railroad company. Rial P. Benjamin, Coroner Jasper Co.

Hammond Bros., are headquarters for bioyoles and trlcyoles.

Rev. W. H. Sayler and wife, of Stoughton, Wis., have been visiting relatives and old friends in this vicinity, for some days. Mr. Sayler’s congregation has given him a month’s vacation. J The Ladies of Rensselaer and vicinare invited to call and see Mrs. Leckder’s stock of New Fall Hats. New style felt sailors 25 cents each.

*37.; John Barkley, of Newton Co. Missouri, arrived in Rensselaer last Friday morning, called by news of sister’s sickness. .When he arrived he found that she had been buried thrae days before. Probably one half of the school children in Rensselaer are boys and a good boy wears out plenty of clothes. When you want a new suit, a goi d well made substantial sightly suit cheap, go to Ellis <fc Murray they can suit you. ’

We hope no one in Rensselaer will ever again favor the idea of a, “parachute leap” as an attraction for any public occasion. It is too dangerous a business, and ought not to be encouraged. Repeatedly this year have fatal accidents resulted from it. The first time it rains you will need a pair of shoes and the place to get them is of Ellis A Murray. We are overstocked in fine shoe on account of the season; call now and get bargains. Hemphill A Honan.

N. M. Banta, one of Hanging Grove Township’s ambitious and promising young men, and an exstudent of the Valparaiso Normal, has this week begun a 9 months term of teaching near Niles Center, in Cook Co. 111. It is a good position with a very oomfortable salary. Ladies notions cheap, at Mrs. Lecklidcrs’.

The dispatch from Earl Reynolds at New York City to his brother here, in regard to the oholera in New York, was 4 little premfture. "The IF deaths did not occur in New York, but on board a vessel bound for New York, and the arrival of whith, caused the report that the deaths actually occur ed in that city.