Rucker, Ruben S. – d. 1903

RUCKER

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:30

Killed by the Train
A sad death occurred about one and a half mile west of Monroe, on the K. D. R. R., last Saturday afternoon. Just after leaving Monroe, passengers were startled by the shrill whistling of the engine and the sudden stopping and backing of the train. The body of R. S. Rucker was found near the south side of the right of way. The coroner’s jury composed of M. L. Lewis, O. F. Scarbrough and J. A. Dibel met in the evening and Sunday morning made full inquiry and returned a verdict that death was caused by being struck by train 201 and that the Railroad company was not to be held responsible. Mr. Rucker was very deaf, so could not hear the whistle.
John Curry saw Rucker start upon the track at the Mat Williams crossing, and before he had traveled a quarter of a mile on horseback, the train passed him and in a few seconds he heard the warning whistles, but did not return immediately.
Thos. Kane and Steve Heveland, of the vicinity of Fairmount, were on the train and saw the body picked up and taken to Fairmount.
The body was not badly disfigured for a death so violent. The back of the skull was badly cut, the nose flattened, the forehead bruised and the right leg broken below the knee.
R. S. Rucker was born in Carlinville, Ill., and was 67 years, 7 months and 9 days old. He has been a resident of Iowa for 27 years and has a large acquaintance in the southern part of Jasper county who mourn his death. He leaves a wife, three sons and two daughters, two of whom are residents of Jasper County.
The body was interred in the Monroe cemetery, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 1903.
Source: Newton Journal; Wednesday, February 25, 1903