GOLINVAUX, Joseph 1851-1901

GOLINVAUX, HAGAN, THIRY

Posted By: Theresa (email)
Date: 5/10/2002 at 19:58:35

Waterloo Courier Wednesday 3 July 1901

THREE LOSE THEIR LIVES LAST NIGHT AT RAILROAD CROSSING

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Burlington Passenger Crashes Into Wagon Near Paper Mill and Instantly

Kills Joseph Golinveaux, J. P. Sorensen and Oliver Hoffman.

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Joseph Hurley Alone Is Spared, But May Die--Coroner's Jury Finds

Contributory Negligence Both on the Part of Railroad Company and Victims

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VERDICT OF CORONER'S JURY
An inquisition held at Waterloo, in Blackhawk county, on the third day of July, A. D. 1901, before E. J. Waddey, coroner of the said county, upon the bodies of P. J. Sorenson, Joseph Golinveaux and Oliver Hoffman, there lying dead, by the jurors, whose names are hereto subscribed.
The said jurors, upon their oaths, do say that they came to their deaths in a railway accident, unavoidable, but contributory by both the individuals and the railroad company.
In testimony whereof the said jurors have hereunto set their hands the day and year aforesaid.

J. B. Young

J. N. Sweitzer

F. H. McCartney

Attest: E. J. Waddey, Coroner

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One of the most appalling accidents that have ever happened in Waterloo occurred at 7:10 last night at the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern crossing one mile south of town near the paper mill, when a wagon containing four men, driving towards town, was struck by belated Burlington passenger No. 3, north bound, and three men were instantly killed and the fourth is probably fatally hurt. The dead are:
JOSEPH GOLINVEAUX, 50 years old; farmer residing four miles southeast of town in Cedar township; thrown against the fence to right of crossing; right side of skull fractured from eye to ear, left leg broken between ankle and knee, left shoulder broken, puncture in abdominal cavity about four inches above hip; body removed to Beck's undertaking rooms.
OLIVER HOFFMAN, 17 years old; helper for T. F. McHogan's gang of plasterers; resides at 703 Commercial street, Waterloo; thrown far away from crossing; right side of skull crushed, bad wound in region of right shoulder blade; body taken to Beck's undertaking rooms.
J. P. SORENSEN, 42 years old; plasterer for T. F. McHogan; home at Atlantic, IA; thrown 150 feet beyond crossing, landing on south side of track; serious internal injuries, hemorrhage filling viscera of body, bad scalp wound on back of head; taken to Beck's undertaking rooms.
The hurt:
Joseph E. Hurley, plasterer in employ of T. F. McHogan; resides at 223 Blackhawk street; thrown high in the air and landed in the roadway at the north of the track; injuries confined largely to the head with bleeding from the nose and ears; picked up and brought to the city on the train and afterwards taken to his home, still unconscious with little hope of recovery.
The unfortunate gentlemen had been at work for Mr. Golinveaux plastering a kitchen which had been added to the house. It was while Mr. Golinveaux was bringing home the plasterers to town that the tragic scene was enacted. The men were riding in a new lumber wagon drawn by two horses and the plastering tools were in the bottom of the box. Naturally they rattled considerably as the horses jogged along and the men were talking when J. J. Miles' place was passed, a few rods south of the crossing. Mr. Miles saw the men drive by and heard at the same time the whistle of the train for the crossing. As is his wont he called to the men to beware of the train, but whether the din caused by the rattling tools and the mortar boxes or the interested conversation of the men forbade them hearing the cries is not known. At any rate Mr. Golinvaux drove onto the railroad track when the swiftly oncoming train was only about 60 feet away. An instant more and there was a crash, a sickening crush, and the air was filled with parts of the wagon and the men who a moment before were apparently unaware of the danger that threatened them.
According to the testimony of the engineer and fireman, the trainmen did not see the wagon and its occupants until they were about 70 feet away. Fireman Kivell says that when he first caught sight of the men the horses were just stepping onto the track. For an instant the driver acted as though he intended to stop, but immediately changed his mind and slapped the horses with the ends of the lines. Engineer Richley, who sat in his cab on the outer side of the curve, did not know of the approaching accident until warned by his fireman. He applied the air at once and looked ahead just in time to see the horses' noses on his side of the track.
The pilot struck the wagon exactly midway between the front and hind wheels, the horses managing to get across the track and were unhurt. The impact completely demolished the new wagon. The front running gear impaled the cowcatcher and was carried there until the train was brought to a stop 925 feet beyond the crossing, where it was detached. Either side of the cowcatcher where the hubs of the vehicle struck was badly broken and strangely enough, the heavy, circular metal piece on the head of the boiler containing the number of the engine was broken into several parts.
The scene which greeted the vision of the trainmen and passengers when the train was brought to a stop and backed up to the crossing was one which beggars description. The plastering tools and mortar boxes were scattered promiscuously along the right of way and at and near the crossing the three dead men lay, bleeding from their wounds. Mr. Hurley lay in the wagon road a few feet north of the track, unconscious and bleeding from the nose and ears. He being the only one who was still living was picked up and carried into the train and the journey made to the depot without stopping to take water at the water tank as is customary.
The demolished front of the engine and its whitened appearance caused by the presence of plaster and lime attracted the attention of those about the depot, and it was only a short time before the news of the tragic, wholesale deaths was noised about. In a few moments' time hundreds of people were gathered about the depot and along the yards, many walking along the track to the scene of the disaster.
The engineer was greatly affected as were the rest of the train crew. Mr. Richley said it was the first time in sixteen years, during which time he has been manipulating the throttle of an engine along this section of road, that he has struck a wagon. The passengers, especially the ladies were greatly frightened. Many of them held handkerchiefs to their heads and would blot from their minds the scene of carnage which they were forced to witness.
Agent Willimas was at the depot when the train arrived and he was one of the first to receive the news. With a calmness which was commendable he set about doing what was necessary under the circumstances. The unconscious man was taken from the train and placed in a hack and carried to his home. the coroner was notified by telephone as were also the city officials. City Attorney Williams could not be reached by phone and one of the freight men notified him of the accident by acting as messenger boy. As the time elapsed the crowd about the depot grew until it became so dense as scarcely to be passable. Conductor Riley who has charge of the switching gang and the urban train, had his engineer bring a coach to the platform to take the coroner, undertaker and such other officials as were needed at the scene of the accident. The special left the depot at about 9 o'clock, but when the men arrived at the ill-fated crossing the bodies had been picked up and were on their way to the city in a hack. The bodies were immediately taken to Beck's undertaking rooms on Bridge street, where they were prepared for burial after being examined by the coroner and physicians. It is regretted that the bodies could not have lain as left for examination by the coroner, but there were many witnesses who could testify as to their positions.

Passenger Was Delayed
The passenger which killed the three men and probably fatally injured another last night should have arrived here at 5:17, but a delay of two hours was occasioned at Mt. Auburn by the breaking down of a car attached to the south bound freight No. 96. Naturally, being behind time, the distance between there and here was made in good time. Passengers say the train went at high speed, and yet Engineer Richley, Fireman Kivell and Conductor Neal testified that when the accident took place the speed was not more than from 40 to 45 miles an hour.

Crossing Is Obscured
The road way and the railroad track run parallel for some distance south of the crossing near the paper mill. Near the crossing there is a sharp curve and the railroad track approaches the highway at an acute angle at the right hand as one approaches the city. There are buildings and a grove between the two road ways very nearly to the point of intersection. It has long been considered quite a dangerous crossing and six or seven winters ago John Ward of Dakota who was here on a visit was struck while making the crossing in a buggy and instantly killed. The gentleman was driving north. The day was intensely cold, the wind blew a gale from the northwest, and this fact prevented his hearing the approach of the forenoon passenger, north bound. the body was thrown 150 feet.

The Claim Agent
One of the first men to arrive on the ground in time of a railroad accident of any kind is the claim agent. Mr. Miller arrived early and looked after the interests of the company. He was present at the coroner's inquest and has been alert all day.

The Coroner's Inquest
Coroner Waddey held an Inquest this morning over the remains of the dead men. J. N. Sweltzer, J. B. Young, and F. H. McCartney composed the jury. As the same trainmen went south on passenger No. 4 this morning that ran the train north last night the jury listened to their testimony at the depot while the train was being held. Engineer Richley testified as follows:
"All I know about the accident is that we were running at ordinary rate of speed, probably 40 to 45 miles an hour. We have to run pretty fast to make our schedule time. I blew the whistle 60 rods below the crossing and the bell was kept ringing. I did not know about the presence of the team until my attention was called to it by my fireman. I put on the air and looking ahead saw the noses of the horses from my side of the cab. Do not know that it is an unsafe crossing. It is the first team I have struck in sixteen years."
Fireman Kivell testified as follows:
"I did not see the team until we were 50 or 60 feet from the crossing. I was not firing just then but sitting in my side of the cab, looking ahead. We were running from 35 to 45 miles an hour. The whistle had been blown at the proper time and the bell was ringing. When I saw the men first the team was walking. The rider at first looked as though he was going to stop, but afterwards struck the team with the reins. The engineer applied the air as soon as I had warned him. He sat on the opposite side of the cab and being on the outer side of the curve did not notice the team until I spoke to him. The train ran probably 40 rods beyond the crossing before it was stopped."
The conductor who had charge of the train testified as follows:
"If I am not mistaken as to the bell's ringing, I think it rang all the way between Washburn and the place of the wreck." Asked if that was customary, he continued: "Yes. We have an automatic ringing device and there are so many crossings between Washburn and Waterloo in the timber that we frequently let the bell ring all the time. The first intimation I had of the trouble was when the air was applied. Would say the train was running from 35 to 40 miles an hour. Was sitting in the front end of the head coach and plainly heard the whistle."
James Miles being called and duly sworn testified:
"I saw the men coming driving along, all busy talking and just as they had gotten by the house I heard the whistle of the train. I thought they did not hear it or they would have stopped, and I commenced calling to them. When the train whistled I think the men were down by the line of the Allen field about 90 rods from the crossing. I heard the bell ring also. I was in the yard when they went by and kept going right along. Then I heard the whistle and they drove by and I think their wagon made so much noise that they never heard me as I was about 150 feet away. Couldn't well judge as to the speed of the train, but think they were going at full speed. I should judge the train was going from 50 to 60 miles per hour and seeped to be moving as fast as when farther away from the city. There were three young fellows in the yard that yelled and whistled at the men. I saw them drive on the crossing and it seemed that when they were just on the crossing the man who was driving raised up his hands like was throwing his hands in the air and brought them down. As he slapped the horses with the lines, the train struck them. None of the men looked up or down the track as they seemed to be interested in a conversation."
Roland Miles was sworn and testified:
"I saw the men as they passed the house. The team was on a walk. I was up stairs and there are three windows. I heard the whistle and father holler. Looking down the track I saw the train coming. It gave two short whistles real sharp and then the bell rang. I ran to the window and saw the men right on the crossing. The man who was driving stood up and slapped one of the horses with the lines and just then the train struck the wagon. Our house is about 100 yards from the track. When they passed the house the men were all busy talking and looked straight ahead. I could see them talking to each other and looking at each other. I should say the train was going faster than commonly. It is my judgment the train was going from 55 to 60 miles per hour. The usual speed is about 45. when the whistle blew I should say the train was about the length of four or five telephone poles away."
Being called and duly sworn James Blimm, a paper maker who happened to be at the Miles home last night testified as follows:
"We were standing down the yard and saw a wagon go by. The train whistled just then and the men not seeming to pay any attention to it, we hollered at them, and they didn't seem to hear, so we ran around the house and hollered at them again. When the men were about on the track the old gentleman arose and hit the horse with the lines and just when the train struck them. I heard the whistle but didn't notice the bell ringing. The train was going fast, but I think no faster than common. This is the first time I ever noticed this train."
M. W. Gipe was called and testified:
"I was on the train that collided with the men. The first thing I saw was some men standing near Miles' house and they were motioning and looking up and hollering. Not knowing what the cause was I put my head out of the window to see and just then the crash came. In an instant more of the wheels came flying past the window, just missing me, I ran to the back end of the car and dismounting saw a man lying before me. I was in the third car, I think, and the train stopped within two lengths of itself. I should say. The train was going about as fast as they usually do, I have been working down the road and coming up every Saturday night and I don't think that the train last night was going faster than usual. The engineer blowed the whistle before coming to the crossing. I felt the speed check several times and they were not going as fast as usual when the crossing was reached."
Fred Hailey testified as follows:
"I noticed the team walking along and the men talking. My attention was not especially called to the wagon until the whistle blew and my wife said they will never make the crossing. As near as I can judge the train was running a little faster than usual. I heard the whistle blow at about the usual place. A companion and myself paced the distance from the crossing to the point where the train stopped and we made 870 feet. I don't think the men on the wagon noticed the train."
Charley Bentley was sworn and testified:
"I was standing between Mr. Miles' home and his barn when I first heard the train whistle. I noticed the wagon drive past and went to the road in time to see the accident. Mr. Miles and the rest of us tried to stop the men and ran out into the road and hollered and whistled. I should judge the train ran 600 feet past the crossing before it came to a dead stop. I didn't see the men look at all and don't think they ever turned their heads. They didn't seem to pay any attention whatever."

FATHER OF JO. GOLINVEAUX KILLED IN ACCIDENT
It is recalled to day by J. B. Keiffer, a brother-in-law of Mr. Golinvaux, that the father of the latter met death by accident just 31 years ago on the 21st of next month. He was killed by being thrown from a wagon, in which he was taking a party of happy spirits from Waterloo to the original Golinveaux farm on the river bank south of town. Harvesting had just been completed and Mr. Golinveaux, rejoicing at the bountiful crops, and his general good fortune for the past year, had decided to hold a harvest feast and have a day of rejoicing such as was common in those days.
He was a Frenchman. There were several families of French descent in Waterloo and he decided to have them help him celebrate the day. He came to Waterloo early on the morning of the fatal day. Among those who were in the wagon with him that morning when he left the city were the families of the Chevaliers, the Gerards, the Schwabs. They drove along happily until the farm was reached. Just at the entrance to the farm there was a steep grade. As the horses started down this grade the heavily loaded wagon crowded forward on them and the sudden lurch threw Mr. Golinveaux to the ground over the dash board and directly under the horses' feet. The wagon ran over the body at the chest and the life was instantly crushed out of him. The day which was to have been one of much gladness was thus turned into a day of sorrow and mourning.
Joseph Golinveaux was born in the year of 1851 in Belgium, of French parents. When he was still a baby, he came to the United States with his parents, settling at New Orleans. They remained in that city only a short time, however, from there moving to Dubuque, in this state. In the year of 1867, the family moved to Black Hawk County and settled on the farm now occupied by Louis Golinveaux, one of the brothers of the dead man. Some years ago the deceased bought the former Israel Scroggy farm, where he was living and where he was having his home rebuilt. Mr. Golinveaux' sudden and tragic death leaves without his love and support, a wife, one daughter and three sons. The sons are Joseph, jr., Eustace and Raphael Golinveaux and the daughter is May Golinveaux. Besides these several members of the immediate family survive him, including his aged mother, Mrs. Mary B. Golinveaux, and three brothers and one sister living in Waterloo. The sister if Mrs. J. P. Kieffer and the brothers are Emil, Julius and James. On farms near the old homestead reside two brothers, Louis and Gus, and one sister, Mrs. Girsch. Another brother, August, resides in Dubuque.
Mr. Golinveaux body was taken to his home in the country this afternoon and funeral services will be held at the Catholic Church in Gilbertville tomorrow forenoon. The body will be taken from the house at 9 o'clock. Interment in Gilbertville cemetery.

(the rest of the article goes on to give info about the other men)