McKeever, Thomas W. – d. 1909

MCKEEVER

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 9/7/2021 at 12:33:12

As Mr. Thomas McKeever, of Poweshiek township, was driving north on Walnut street in his light spring wagon, No. 16 Rock Island passenger train rolled into the yards last Tuesday afternoon, twenty-four minutes late and just ahead of the fast mail train which does not stop here. Train 16 was making a speed of 10 miles to sidetrack for 26 at the east end of the yards and let the fast train pass. Some witnesses declare the flagman was inside his box and that he gave no warning to trains or pedestrians of the approach of the train; others declare he waved his flag as usual. But McKeever did not see or hear the warning, for he drove on unsuspecting danger until the roar of the oncoming engine, as he was but ten feet from the track, caused him to look up. Then he pulled so sharply on the left rein as to turn the team facing the engine as the pilot crashed between them. Horses, vehicle and man were raised from the ground, the wagon was torn in fragments and Mr. McKeever stunned by the first impact, dropped to the ground with his head near the rail where the beams of the tender truck rolled and crushed his skull before dumping him and the fragments of the wagon just north of the water tank. The horses were carried 200 feet and dumped at the road side. Mr. McKeever was carried to the Mason House where a doctor found him dying. His skull was fractured, both back and front and he was otherwise injured. Twenty minutes later he died without regaining consciousness. The victim was 65 years old, a bachelor farmer and veteran of the civil war – a member of Company C, 22d Iowa Infantry and a member of E. D. Duncan Post G.A.R. of this place. He had been living alone on the little farm which had been his home for many years. The coroner was notified, came over the same evening, selected the jury and the investigation began, then was adjourned (after viewing the remains and taking some testimony) till this evening to have the trainmen’s evidence. The dead man is at the Cutter undertaking rooms, and the funeral will be on Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the M.E. Church. The interment will be at the McKeever cemetery in Poweshiek township.
Source: The Colfax (IA) Clipper; Thursday, December 23, 1909, page 1