A FATAL ACCIDENT – A MAN INSTANTLY KILLED-Campbell died 1863

CAMPBELL, LIEST

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 5/24/2016 at 23:01:22

Dubuque Democratic Herald – Oct. 4, 1863

A FATAL ACCIDENT – A MAN INSTANTLY KILLED – Yesterday afternoon shortly before 1 o’clock, an accident occurred on the railroad a short distance below the depot, which a man named Campbell was instantly killed. He lives about two miles below the city, and was coming to town after dinner, walking upon the railroad track, when the locomotive used about the yard for making up trains and which had run down for wood to a point beyond where the road cuts through the bluff, in coming back accidentally run over him, killing him instantly. The engineer saw him on the track and whistled for a long time for him to get out of the way , and when he saw that he made no movement in that direction he reversed the engine but was too late to save him. Campbell was very deaf and did not hear the whistle at all. The locomotive was backing up, and the tender hit him and knocked him over, breaking both legs below the knee. He was thrown down and embankment, and fell in such a way as to break his neck, when he of course died instantly.

A jury was commissioned by Coroner Liest, who after a thorough examination, returned a verdict in accordance with the above facts. The railroad company and the engineer were completely exonerated of all blame, as everything possible was done to prevent the accident. It was indeed strange that a man who could not hear a locomotive whistle when within three rods of him should have ventured upon the tracks. Campbell was apparently about forty-five years of age, married, and had formerly been employed as a miner. His body is still in the hands of the coroner, and will be delivered to his friends whenever they claim it.