FAIRCHILD, Bertha E. (Taylor) 1867-1893

FAIRCHILD, TAYLOR, SHELLEY

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 2/24/2014 at 19:39:07

[Waterloo Daily Courier, Thursday, February 16, 1893, Waterloo, Iowa]

Burial of Mrs. Fairchild -- The remains of Mrs. Fairchild, who was killed by the train on the Branch, were taken to Cedar Falls yesterday and the funeral will take place tomorrow, on the third anniversary of their marriage.

Mr. Fairchild in gaining slowly. The relatives compliment Miss Ivins, of the hospital, highly on the kind treatment given. We learn that Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild had leased a farm near Finchford about three weeks ago and expected to go to farming in the spring.

About a year ago they lost their only child and on the afternoon of the day of the accident, Mr. Fairchild had paid for a lot in the Cedar Falls cemetery.

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[Cedar Falls Gazette, February 17, 1893]

Fatal Accident;
Resulting in the Death of Mrs. W. P. Fairchild by an I.C. Passenger Train from the Branch

Last Monday evening at 6:20 a terrible accident occurred on the Illinois Central at the road crossing one and a fourth miles east of the Cedar Falls Junction. Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Fairchild of this city were going to the home of Mrs. Fairchild's sister, who lives on the Geo. Leland farm just east of the crossing. As they were driving over the railroad track the evening passenger train from Branch, J. S. Jenness, conductor and "Uncle Jim" Place, the engineer; came rapidly down the track. The whistle was blown, but Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild were so closely muffled they did not discover their danger till the head light shone upon their horse from behind them, the angle made there by the wagon road and track, being very acute. It was too late to stop the horse which became frightened. It got across the track but the engine struck the sleigh and broke it in pieces. Every effort was made to stop the train which was brought to a stand within two lengths of a telegraph pole from the crossing.

Search was at once made for the occupants of the sleigh, whom it was supposed had been thrown some distance, but both were on the pilot of the engine, Mrs. Fairchild upon the bumper beam crowded against the braces, unconscious, her back and hip broken, and a severe wound upon her scalp. She never recovered consciousness. Mr. Fairchild had a scalp wound about seven inches in length, the scalp torn loose from the scull and his neck cut, but injuries are not considered serious. The unfortunate man and wife were both placed upon the train and taken to Waterloo where medical aid was secured. The horse ran to the home of Mrs. Fairchild's sister near the scene of the accident, and they at once hitched up and drove to Waterloo, arriving before the death of Mrs. Fairchild. Train men assert that the whistle was blown for the crossing and the accident was the result of the failure of Mr. Fairchild to hear it.

An inquest was held Tuesday before Coroner Chase and a jury consisting of A. Jackson, C. P. Artman and H. R. Campbell at Waterloo. Engineer Place testified that he left Cedar Falls Junction about five minutes late and was running at a good rate of speed. He whistled and rang the bell for the crossing, but didn't see the sleigh until the train was close onto it. He then set the brakes and stopped the train within about the distance of two telegraph poles. W. W. Forry, who was a passenger on the train testifed that he heard the whistle blow for the crossing and that it had a sharp, shrill sound. Soon after, the train was stopped. Mrs. L. B. Taylor, of Cedar Falls, testified that Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild left her house to drive out to Mrs. F.'s sister's and that Mrs. Fairchild was closely wrapped up on account of recent ill health, and Mr. Fairchild had on a heavy coat, the collar of which was turned up, and also had his cap pulled down over his ears. Mr. Fairchild testified that he did not hear or see the train until it was close upon them, and the next he knew they were thrown onto the pilot of the engine. After listening to the evidence, the jury returned a verdict in accordance with the facts and added: " We find from the evidence, that the whistle was blown and the bell rung in accordance with the rules of the railroad company and the laws of Iowa, and fail to see where blame attaches to any person".

Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild have resided in this place for several years and are kindly spoken of by all who know them. They were living of late in the Tondro house near the I. C. depot. She was formerly a teacher and he has been working at carpentering. They were preparing to move to the farm of John Plantz near Fitchford. Mr. Plantz being about to move to Des Moines.

Mr. Fairchild is about 31 and his deceased wife 28* years of age. They buried their only child, a babe, last summer. She was the sister of Mrs. Charles A. Shelly on West 1st St. and of Lee Taylor of Waverly. The body of Mrs. Fairchild was brought from Waterloo Wednesday, and is at the home of her sister, Mrs. C. A. Shelley, West 1st Street. Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 2 o'clock from the home of Mr. Shelly.

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* According to her gravestone she would have been 25.
Gravestone at Greenwood Cemetery, Cedar Falls is inscribed:
Bertha E. Taylor, wife of W. P. Fairchild, Born: Dec. 14, 1867, Died: Feb 13, 1893

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Daughter of John C. Taylor and Lydia B. Sayles. Wife of Wendell P. Fairchild. [Credit Lois Echley]