Wm. and Mary Reineke Train Accident, 1901

REINEKE

Posted By: David reineke (email)
Date: 9/9/2010 at 19:15:41

(The following two articles were from two Carroll papers, the first from The Carroll Sentinel, February 18, 1901, the second from The Carroll Herald, February 20, 1901.)

(Carroll Sentinel, Monday, February 18, 1901)
Caught at Crossing
Another railroad crossing accident was added to the long list of similar casualties last week. Last Friday morning while Wm. Reineke and his daughter, Mary, were on their way to the school taught by the latter, and which is located south of the railroad, they were caught and hurled from the track at the crossing a mile east of J. M. Boyce’s farm. Mr. Reineke, who was driving a single horse, either failed to see the eastbound train on account of a slight cut west of the crossing, or misjudged the train’s distance. When the occupants drove upon the crossing the train bore down upon them catching the wheels of the buggy and tossing it into the ditch. The train, which was first section of No. 4, was stopped and the trainmen hurried to the assistance of the victims of the accident. Mr. Reineke was thought to be seriously injured while his daughter was bleeding profusely from several wounds. They were taken to Glidden and placed under the care of a physician. Mr. Reineke was found not so badly hurt as was expected and luckily no internal injuries were sustained as at first feared. After receiving the necessary treatment they were driven to their home in Grant Township, where they are improving rapidly, much to the satisfaction of their many warm friends.
That Mr. Reineke and his daughter were not instantly killed in the collision seems nothing short of a miracle to the trainmen. The only plausible reason reached for the escape is the fact that the buggy had a top to it, thus breaking the force of the fall of the vehicle and protecting the occupants. Aside from a few scratches the horse also escaped serious injury.

(Carroll Herald, Wednesday, February 20, 1901)
Accident at R. R. Crossing
Last Friday Wm. Reineke who lives a mile east of town, in Grant Township, was taking his daughter, Mary, to her school in Fred Lappe’s district and while crossing the Northwestern track north of the schoolhouse the conveyance was struck by an eastbound freight train and the occupants seriously injured. They were in a covered buggy and did not see the approaching train till it was upon them. The buggy was struck about at the front wheel and the occupants were pitched over the cowcatcher and landed some distance ahead on the opposite side. Miss Reineke was thrown against a wire fence and it is probable that this saved more serious injury, for the fence served as a sort of cushion and broke the force of the fall. She received an ugly wound on the forehead, near the base of the nose, but aside from this escaped with only light bruises. Mr. Reineke was not so fortunate, for one of his arms is broken in two places, his face is considerably cut up and he is injured otherwise. But the escape of both himself and daughter is almost miraculous. The hind wheels of the vehicle were practically injured [uninjured?] and the horse was not hurt. The train stopped and took the injured persons aboard leaving them at Glidden where Doctor Dunkle was called to administer to them. Later they were taken home. The accident is a serious one of course, but the unfortunate persons are lucky in getting out of it as well as they did. Mr. Reineke is an old soldier and the results of the accident will fall on him pretty heavy. The young lady is among the deserving teachers of this vicinity and her co-laborers will extend full sympathy.