Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 January 1901 — How L. K. Yeoman Was Killed. [ARTICLE]

How L. K. Yeoman Was Killed.

The return of M. H. and M. L. Hemphill from attending the funeral of L. K. Yeoman, at Rossville, 111., makes it possible to give the details of the lamentable accident which resulted in his death. Mr. Yeoman had been at Hoopeston, 6 miles north of Rossville, Saturday, where he sold a car load of horses, and returned on the 10 p- m. train. On the train was a specialist from Chicago on his way to see a patient 7 or 8 miles southeast from Rossville. He asked Mr. Yeoman to get a team from his recently bought livery stable and take him out. This Mr. Yeoman did, leaving the doctor at the place and was returning home alone. About 2£ mih>s south of Rossville Mr. Yeoman was crossing the C. & E. I. road and was struck by a locomotive, running “wild” or without any train. It was a thick murky night and the engineer did not see Mr. Yeoman’s team and buggy until he was almost upcn them. The team was over the traok and ihe buggy, a covered one, square upon it. The team was not hurt but when the engine stopped the running gears of the buggy were on the cow-catcher. The buggy top and Mr. Yeoman were thrown about 100 feet. His skull was crushed at the forehead and the jaw broken. Otherwise he was not mutillated, beyond a number of bruises. Death was no doubt instantaneous.

The engine was coming from the south and as the railroad runs considerably northwest at that place the wagon road crosses at an angle, hence the engine would be partly behind Mr. Yeoman, and less likely to be seen. It is also not unlikely that he, being very tired, had fallen asleep in his buggy. The aooident ooourred just about midnight, Saturday night. The engine stopped and picked Mr. Yeoman up and carried him to Rossville.

The funeral Tuesday was one of the largest ever held there, and every business place in to\gp was closed. The funeral was conducted by Rev. Conner, of Danville, 111., a minister of the Church of God, formerly located at Rensselaer; and of which church Mr. and Mrs. Yeoman were members. It was a most sad funeral and the grief of the suddenly bereaved family was most touohing, and more especially that of the 12 year old twin boy 6, who were the very idols of their father’s heart. Of Mr. Yeoman’s seven surviving brothers, 5 in Kansas and Oklahoma and 2 in Rensselaer and vicinity, only the two latter and one, Oge, from Kansas, attended the funeral.