Morgan, Adele E. Lister – 1890-1916

LISTER, MORGAN, SPEARING

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 6/2/2023 at 13:45:07

Death At R.R. Crossing
Mrs. Frank Morgan of Colfax Instantly Killed by Train
A terrible accident occurred at the Rock Island Railroad crossing, just east of the depot in Colfax, about 8 o’clock last Wednesday evening February 2d when Mrs. Frank Morgan was instantly killed by a passing train. The particulars of the horrible tragedy, briefly told, are about as follows:
Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, who live three or four miles north of Colfax, were driving into town to attend revival meetings being held in the Christian church. Mrs. Morgan was seated on a spring seat near the rear of the bobsled, and Mr. Morgan standing in front driving. There was no train due at that time and as Mr. Morgan drove upon the track, he was horrified to see rapidly nearing them from the east, the giant engine, like a great black monster, but without any headlight. He made a desperate effort to clear the track, but alas; he was too late, and escape was impossible. The team and fore runners of the sled had barely cleared the track when the huge engine struck the rear of the sled, crushing it and carrying the body of Mrs. Morgan to a spot near the waiting room of the depot. She only gave a few feeble gasps when her horrified friends reached her. The top of her head was torn off and hung by a small particle of flesh over her face; her right arm was broken near the shoulder. A terrible sight for the friends when they looked upon the ghastly spectacle and realized how suddenly the beautiful young wife and mother had been ushered into eternity. Mr. Morgan escaped with but slight injuries. When the engine struck the sleigh he was jerked forward clear of the track with the team, by a mere chance escaping from a terrible death. A part of the sleigh, with the body of Mrs. Morgan was carried by the engine to the front of the depot entrance. The body of Mrs. Morgan was taken to the W. S. Cutter undertaking parlors where later Coroner Hinshaw held an inquest the jury returning the following verdict:
“We do find that said deceased came to her death by being struck by engine number 953 of train number seven going west on the C.R.I. & P. on the Walnut street crossing of the city of Colfax, Iowa, about 7:55 p.m. February 2, 1916; and we further find that the railway company was negligent in that there was no headlight on the engine and that no whistle was blown after the station whistle was sounded.”
Mrs. Morgan was formerly Miss Adele Lister, eldest daughter of Thos. H. Lister who for many years resided on the old family homestead of the late William Lister south of Newton, where Adel was born about 25 years ago. Her mother is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Spearing. It has only been a few years since Mr. and Mrs. Morgan were happily married, and they have one little daughter, Bertha, about three years old, who is now suddenly bereft of her dearest earthly friend – mother. Mr. Morgan has been almost crazed, over his terrible bereavement. He and his little daughter, and all the sorrowing kindred have the tenderest sympathy of everybody. Thos. H. Lister is a brother of Sam, Arthur and Alfred Lister of this vicinity and a nephew of the venerable John F. Lister.
Fifty or more relatives and friends from this city and vicinity went to Colfax Sunday to attend the funeral, which was one of the largest ever held there. Long before the hour for the services, the Christian church was crowded, and an overflow service was held in the M.E. church nearby, which was also crowded. The Christian pastor conducted the services in the latter church while the Evangelist presided in the Christian church, of which Mrs. Morgan and her husband were members. The terrible tragedy has cast a shadow of gloom over the entire community.
Source: The Newton (IA) Record; Thursday, February 10, 1916, page 1