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Macon County News Items -
Accidents
Accident
Mr. Skinner, while out gunning yesterday, shot off one of his thumbs. It
is said that he was leading his gun, a double barreled one - while driving
along in a buggy, one barrel was loaded and the trigger set, and while loading
the second barrel, the barrel accidently went off, carrying away part of
his thumb, so as to require amputation. We feel sorry for the gentleman,
but think it a very good time to caution our readers against the carless
or inconsiderate use of fire arms; this accident is a trifling one compared
to some which have happened within our knowledge, produced by the same kind
of want of fore thought.[Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois)
Thursday, July 26, 1855 - Submitted by Nancy Piper]
An inquest was held at Alton on Friday last, to investigate the causes which
led to the accident on the Terre Haute and Alton Railroad, the proceding
day which resulted in the rendering of the following verdict:
We, the Jurors summoned by Wm E. Pinchard, Coroner of Madison county, State
of Illinois, to examine into and ascertain the cause by which Henry King
and John Morrison, engineers, Wesley Davis, firemen and A. M. Doak and J.
R. Bales, passengers, came to their death of the 10th of January 1856, on
the train coming in from Pana on the Terre Haute and Alton Railroad, be leave
to report, that after hearing a number of witnesses testify, they find that
near Dorsey's Station on said road, one of the small truck-wheels of the
engine broke, while running at the rate of nine to twelve miles an hour,
and threw the engine from the track, and that with the concussion of the
cars attached, caused the death of the above named persons, four of whom
were at the time riding on the engine, and one on the forward car, as supposed.
The Jury are unable to perceive that any censure or blame is attached to
any person having charge or supervision of the train, or any officer, or
agent on, o connected with the road. [Illinois State Chronicle, (Decatur,
IL) Thursday, January 17 1856 - Submitted by Nancy Piper]
Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) March 27 1856
Local Affairs
Railroad Accident - The freight train on the Great Western Railroad, with
twenty cars of stock; ran off the track on Friday evening two miles west
of Illipolis. One brakeman was killed, and another man had one of his legs
broken. Twenty-five cattle were killed, and five cars belonging to the Illinois
Central Railroad were badly broken up and seven thrown from the track. The
accident was caused by a land slide.
Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) October 16, 1856
Sad Accident
At half past 11 as the Freight Train on the G.W.R.R. was passing the switch
near Sangamon river, the train ran off the track, and smashed four of the
cars and the engine rolled over some three or four times. Mr. Wm W. Reasoner,
road master, riding on the engine was badly mashed by the fall of the engine;
he died about 5 o'clock this morning. The cause of the accident was by someone
chopping out the lock which fastened the switch, then changing the switch
and replacing the lock thus fastening it wrong. The supposition is that the
change was made to run the train going east off, which being behind time
was saved a still greater calamity than the one that did happen. The company
offers a reward of $500 for the detection of the villain, and it is hoped
that he will be found.
Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) March 12 1857
On the 5th inst., Henry Elwood of this city was engaged in coupling some
cars at the Depot, while they were in motion, his feet caught in the frog
of the switch and the train passed over both of his legs above the knees,
and the coupling pin struck him in the body; either of which injuries would
have killed him; he died that night. Mr. E. leaves a host of friends to mourn
his loss.
Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) March 12 1857
On the 5th inst., Mr. M. J. French of this city, while on a visit to Indiana
on business, lost his life in the following singular manner. While travelling
on the Cin. & St. Louis R. R. he attempted to stop near Dunham Station,
in Jackson Co. The train ran past the point some 200 years and slacked up;
Mr. F. jumped off of the train falling forward on his face and hands, he
got up, however, and walked along the track a short distance and went into
a lane, where he commenced staggering and fell; the members of a family nearby
hastened to his relief, and carried him into the house; he lived about 15
minutes, conversing rationally and occasionally vomiting blood. Mr. French
was a good citizen and highly esteemed by those of our citizens who knew
him. He was formerly a resident of Indiana.
Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) May 14 1857
Fell Down
The brick meat market of Wikoff & Adams fell down on last Tuesday,
fortunately no one was hurt. The cause of the fall was the caving in of the
cellar wall which was being dug adjoining.
Death of Oliver Frazier
Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) July 16 1857
Sad Accident
Mr. Oliver Frazier, of this county, was killed last week by the running away
of his Ox team, it appears that he was driving his team, and riding upon
the wagon, the oxen it is supposed became frightened and ran away, throwing
him off and dragging him a considerable distance. This occurred on Wednesday
last. He died the following morning.
While attempting to oil the shafting in the Republican
office press room on Saturday afternoon, Frank Cassell, the engineer
and pressman, unfortunately lost his balance while at the top of a ladder
and fell heavily to the floor, a distance of 12 feet. He was picked up in
a partially insensible condition and taken to his room, where a physician
attended to him. It was thougth at first that he had sustained fatal injuries,
but he was only severly shocked. He was delirious Saturday night, but is
now able to limp around, and will resume his duties in a few days. [
August 30, 1880, Decatur Daily Republican, Decatur, Illinois - Submitted
by Nancy Piper]
Squire Albert Hurt
The other evening ex-Justice T. B. Albert,
now past 72 years of age, met with a serious misfortune while moving hay
from his barn loft in the alley on South Main Street. He was at work alone,
and in some manner fell off his small spring wagon, the fall breaking one
of his hip bones. The Squire and his wife are now keeping house of B.
H. Cassell at the latter's new residence on Cassell's Hill, and there
the injured man who was so spry at the celebration of his recent golden wedding,
is prostrated upon a bed waiting for the broken bones to heal. He has rented
his south Main Street property [Decatur Republican (Decatur, Illinois)
May 9 1889 - Submitted by Nancy Piper]
Injured in a Runaway
Coming in from the county yesterday afternoon George
M. Danley, who had been in the southwest part of the county soliciting
insurance, had quite a time of it for a few minutes on St. Louis avenue near
the Wabash railroad. Mr. Danley was driving a horse hitched to a buggy, and
just as he was passing under the bridge a train dashed over, frightening
the horse so badly that he gave a desperate jump for his life, dashing the
buggy against the pole, throwing Mr. D. through the top of the buggy, and
breaking away from the rig. It was thought that Mr. Danley had been fatally
injured but examination proved that he had had a remarkably narrow escape,
only being bruised and sprained about the hips. Dr. J. L. Bevans attended
Mr. Danley at the home of William Bundy, who with Officer James
Lee witnessed the accident. The buggy is a wreck. The horse did not run
far. He stopped and came back to the buggy. [Decatur Weekly Republican
(Decatur, Illinois) May 9 1895 - Submitted by Nancy Piper]
Accidental Shooting
Fred Cassell, living one and a half miles north
of Decatur accidently shot himself yesterday while handling an old revolver.
The gun is a 32 calibre. He knew it was loaded but in handling it the gun
was accidently discharged, the ball going through his left hand and entering
his leg. The wounds are not serious but he will be laid up for some time.
[Evening Bulletin (Decatur, Illinois) August 19 1895 - Submitted by
Nancy Piper]
Sues Decatur Man For $5,000 Damages
Maro S. Strong of Lewistown Alleges He Was Badly
Injured
Maro S. Strong has filed a damage suit against
Thomas A. Cassell of Decatur for $5,000. On Oct. 4, 1908, while Mr.
Cassell was driving his automobile through Schuyler county he met a farmer
named Strong, who was driving along in a buggy. Strong charges Cassell was
going twenty-five miles an hour and did not sound his horn or give any warning
of his approach and that the horse became frightened, ran away and threw
the complainant out, injuring his left leg so badly that he has since been
unable to attend to his duties; that he spent $200 trying to be cured of
his hurts, bruises and wounds, and that on account of his inability to attend
to his farm work he is out $2,000 additional. Masters and Masters of Lewistown,
Ill., are attorneys for Mr. Strong. [The Daily Review (Decatur, Illinois)
August 13 1909 - Submitted by Nancy Piper]
Wabash Men Hurt
Switchman C. A. Chandler of the Wabash, was
Monday night caught between a car and a cattle chute, and severely pinched.
It was thought by other members of the crew that he had received his everlasting
but it was found when he recovered from the shock that his injuries were
not of a dangerous sort. He was taken to the hospital where it was found
that he was bruised in several places but had no broken bones. He will be
able to return to work in a few days.
[The Daily Review (Decatur, Illinois) November
10 1903 - Submitted by Nancy Piper]
Decatur - Marjorie Harris,
7 years old, was stuck and killed by a Wabash passenger train at Raymond.
She became confused while crossing the tracks.
[Friday, Nov. 21, 1913, Ste.
Marie Tribune, Jasper County, IL - Submitted by K.
Torp]
Decatur - Thomas Gettings, long an official of the Decatur miners' union,
died of a broken back received from falling
downstairs. [Friday, December
12, 1913, Ste. Marie Tribune, Jasper County, IL - Submitted by K.
Torp]
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