CORR, Robert 1878 - 1908

CORR, CORNELL, PHIPPS, HARDYMAN

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:23:28

"The Fairfield Journal"
Monday, May 4, 1908
Page 2, Columns 2 and 3

KILLED BY CARS.
Robert CORE (sic - CORR), Young Man Well Known Here, Met Horrible Death Sunday.

The body of Robert CORE, a young man about 29 years of age, was discovered lying on the Burlington tracks near the Raney tile factory about a quarter of a mile west of the station Sunday morning about six o'clock by A. L. Spray. The body was fearfully mangled and lacerated.

Mr. CORE was the son of Mr. and Mrs. William CORE of this city and he had been raised in Jefferson county.

The authorities were promptly notified and the remains picked up and taken to A. V. Frazey's undertaking establishment where they were prepared for burial.

Coroner J. S. Gaumer empanneled the following jury: George W. White, Marshall Chilcott and James Dowd, who viewed the scene of the accident and the remains of the deceased and assembled at the coroner's office about 10 o'clock to hear the testimony of such witnesses as could be found who knew any thing about the man.

Abraham L. Spray, who reported the affair to the authorities, was the first witness examined. He testified that he was personally acquainted with the deceased. That he stepped from his home near the Burlington tracks to the railroad about six o'clock Sunday morning. That he saw a body laying on the south side of the track, just west of Raney's tile factory. That he did not examine the body closely, except to ascertain that life was extinct. Then he telephone to Sheriff Neibert from the home of Arthur Barnett One foot and part of the leg to the knee were laying in the inside of the track when he saw the body.

Arthur Barnett's testimony added but a small bit of information to that of Mr. Spray. He testified that when he saw the body it was laying on the south side of the east bound track. The body was laying on the face with head to the west. One foot and leg to the knee was laying on the inside of the south rail.

Glen McWhirter, keeper of the tower, testified as follows: "The engineer of No. 16 notified Root and I that he thought he saw a body laying on the tracks. I went down to the body in my car. I heart that Spray and Barnett had been there. Body was laying on south side of tracks face downward. Looked like body had been dragged. Did not see any evidence of where body struck. Did not stay to examine body for I had to hurry to get back to the tower. Told operator at depot there was a body down there but think he misunderstood me. I did not notify any one for I was busy."

G. F. Root, operator at the Burlington depot, testified as follows before the jury: "Heard of the accident about 5:30 o'clock Sunday morning. Engineer on No. 16 reported that he thought he saw a body by the track but was not positive. When McWhirter investigated and hollowed (sic) to me from the crossing I thought he said there was nothing there."

Sylvenus Cornell, a brother in-law of the deceased, testified that Mr. CORE had worked in saw mill at Birmingham when he last heard of him about two weeks ago. He did not know that the deceased intended to come home Sunday. He was divorced but had no children. Always worked hard.

Undertaker A. V. Frazey testified that he was called to take charge of a body that was found near the tile factory. Found the body laying on the face. Back of head was lacerated but neck was not broken. There were no fractures above the shoulders. Body was practically disembowled (sic) terribly crushed and lacerated. Left foot and leg to knee was cut off. Wheels had evidently passed over abdomen and cut man in two. He had accident insurance button on. A policy was found on body in the Northwestern Accident Insurance company which had lapsed last Friday.

CORONER'S VERDICT.

"We the coroner's jury do find that the deceased came Robert CORE to his death by being killed by an east bound train on the south track of the C. B. & Q. railroad company near the Raney Tile Works between the hours of 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock a.m. May 3, 1908, and we are unable to fix the responsibility of his death."

George W. White,
James Dowd
Marshall Chilcott,
Jurors

J. S. Gaumer, Coroner.

Robert CORE was the son of Mr. and Mrs. William CORE who reside on North B street between Broadway and Briggs streets.

He was born in Bonaparte, Iowa, August 1, 1878 and came to Jefferson county with his parents when small(.) For some time past he has resided in Birmingham where he was employed.

On account of the illness of his father he had been making frequent trips to this city to visit his parents and was here for several days about two weeks ago.

He is survived by his parents, three brothers, John and Clarence of New Boston, Ill., Samuel of this city and two sisters, Mrs. S. CORNELL and Miss Mae CORR of this city.

On account of the condition of the body the funeral was held Sunday afternoon at one o'clock at the home.

Rev. Thomas Osborn conducted the last services and the remains were laid to rest in Evergreen cemetery.

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"The Fairfield Journal"
Wednesday, May 6, 1908
Front Page, Columns 3 and 4

KILLED BY CARS.
Robert CORE (sic - CORR), Young Man Well Known Here, Met Horrible Death Sunday.

The body of Robert CORE, a young man about 29 years of age, was discovered lying on the Burlington tracks near the Raney tile factory about a quarter of a mile west of the station Sunday morning about six o'clock by A. L. Spray. The body was fearfully mangled and lacerated.

Mr. CORE was the son of Mr. and Mrs. William CORE of this city and he had been raised in Jefferson county.

The authorities were promptly notified and the remains picked up and taken to A. V. Frazey's undertaking establishment where they were prepared for burial.

Coroner J. S. Gaumer empanneled the following jury: George W. White, Marshall Chilcott and James Dowd, who viewed the scene of the accident and the remains of the deceased and assembled at the coroner's office about 10 o'clock to hear the testimony of such witnesses as could be found who knew any thing about the man.

Abraham L. Spray, who reported the affair to the authorities, was the first witness examined. He testified that he was personally acquainted with the deceased. That he stepped from his home near the Burlington tracks to the railroad about six o'clock Sunday morning. That he saw a body laying on the south side of the track, just west of Raney's tile factory. That he did not examine the body closely, except to ascertain that life was extinct. Then he telephone to Sheriff Neibert from the home of Arthur Barnett One foot and part of the leg to the knee were laying in the inside of the track when he saw the body.

Arthur Barnett's testimony added but a small bit of information to that of Mr. Spray. He testified that when he saw the body it was laying on the south side of the east bound track. The body was laying on the face with head to the west. One foot and leg to the knee was laying on the inside of the south rail.

Glen McWhirter, keeper of the tower, testified as follows: "The engineer of No. 16 notified Root and I that he thought he saw a body laying on the tracks. I went down to the body in my car. I heart that Spray and Barnett had been there. Body was laying on south side of tracks face downward. Looked like body had been dragged. Did not see any evidence of where body struck. Did not stay to examine body for I had to hurry to get back to the tower. Told operator at depot there was a body down there but think he misunderstood me. I did not notify any one for I was busy."

G. F. Root, operator at the Burlington depot, testified as follows before the jury: "Heard of the accident about 5:30 o'clock Sunday morning. Engineer on No. 16 reported that he thought he saw a body by the track but was not positive. When McWhirter investigated and hollowed (sic) to me from the crossing I thought he said there was nothing there."

Sylvenus Cornell, a brother in-law of the deceased, testified that Mr. CORE had worked in saw mill at Birmingham when he last heard of him about two weeks ago. He did not know that the deceased intended to come home Sunday. He was divorced but had no children. Always worked hard.

Undertaker A. V. Frazey testified that he was called to take charge of a body that was found near the tile factory. Found the body laying on the face. Back of head was lacerated but neck was not broken. There were no fractures above the shoulders. Body was practically disembowled (sic) terribly crushed and lacerated. Left foot and leg to knee was cut off. Wheels had evidently passed over abdomen and cut man in two. He had accident insurance button on. A policy was found on body in the Northwestern Accident Insurance company which had lapsed last Friday.

CORONER'S VERDICT.

"We the coroner's jury do find that the deceased came Robert CORE to his death by being killed by an east bound train on the south track of the C. B. & Q. railroad company near the Raney Tile Works between the hours of 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock a.m. May 3, 1908, and we are unable to fix the responsibility of his death."

George W. White,
James Dowd
Marshall Chilcott,
Jurors

J. S. Gaumer, Coroner.

Robert CORE was the son of Mr. and Mrs. William CORE who reside on North B street between Broadway and Briggs streets.

He was born in Bonaparte, Iowa, August 1, 1878 and came to Jefferson county with his parents when small(.) For some time past he has resided in Birmingham where he was employed.

On account of the illness of his father he had been making frequent trips to this city to visit his parents and was here for several days about two weeks ago.

He is survived by his parents, three brothers, John and Clarence of New Boston, Ill., Samuel of this city and two sisters, Mrs. S. CORNELL and Miss Mae CORR of this city.

On account of the condition of the body the funeral was held Sunday afternoon at one o'clock at the home.

Rev. Thomas Osborn conducted the last services and the remains were laid to rest in Evergreen cemetery.

~~~~

"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, May 6, 1908
Page 7, Columns 2 and 3

Personals.

... Met a Terrible Death.

Sunday morning the crew of an eastbound "Q" train reported to the night operator that the body of a man was lying at the side of the tracks a short distance west of town. The sheriff was notified and he and an undertaker went to the scene of the accident. The body was badly mutilated, being severed in the middle and pieces of the lower limbs scattered along the right-of-way for a distance of 60 feet. The remains were taken to the undertaking rooms of A. V. Frazey, where they were identified as being one Robert CORR. How the accident occurred is not known. It is thought that he was coming home from Birmingham, probably riding on the bumpers of an east-bound freight, and fell under the wheels of the moving train.

The coroner empaneled a jury to hear the testimony of those who had discovered the body. After visiting the scene of the accident and hearing the testimony of several witnesses who knew the dead man they reached the following verdict:

"We, the coroner's jury, do find that the deceased came to his death by being killed by an eastbound train on the south track of the C., B. & Q. railroad company, near the Raney Tile works, between the hours of 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock a.m., May 3, 1908, and we are unable to fix the responsibility of the death."

Robert CORR was a man of about 30 years of age. He came to Fairfield some time ago with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. CORR. About two weeks ago he procured work near Birmingham and it is supposed he was coming home to spend Sunday with his parents, when he met death in this tragic manner.

Owing to the terrible condition of the body burial was made Sunday. The body was taken to the home of his parents on North B street, and a short service was held by Rev. Thos. Osborn. Interment was made in Evergreen cemetery.

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, May 6, 1908
Page 6, Column 3

Found Dead on Railroad Track.

The body of Robert CORR was found on the C., B. & Q. right of way, about a hundred feet west of the tile works, Sunday morning about 6 o'clock. It had been run over by a train and was frightfully mutilated. While the trunk laid south of the track, a severed limb was between the rails. While no one seems to know whence the unfortunate man came or whither he was going, it seems quite evident that he must have fallen from a moving train. The body was so badly crushed and mangled that immediate burial seemed necessary and it was taken to the cemetery for interment in the afternoon. Coroner J. S. Gaumer held the usual inquest, the jurors being G. W. White, M. Chilcott and James Dowd. A. L. Spray, who found the body, and other witnesses were examined, but nothing was developed which would throw further light on the matter. The verdict was that CORR "was killed by an east bound train between 12 and 6 a.m.," and the jury was unable to fix the responsibility for death. The body was seen by the engineer of train No. 16 a few minutes before it was discovered by Mr. Spray, but, through some misunderstanding, it was not officially reported.

The dead man was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. CORR of this city and was thirty years of age. He had made his home in Fairfield for several years, but found employment near Birmingham a month or more ago and was living there at the time of his death. No one seems to know anything about his movements after he left Birmingham Saturday.

~~~~

"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, May 13, 1908
Page 2, Column 4

A Singular Coincidence.

The recent death of Frank Parsons in Grand Junction, Colo, caused by a runaway accident, made the third accidental death to three Cedar township boys in three days. Robert CORR was killed in Fairfield on Sunday by the cars, Peter Droz was killed on Monday in Denver by an elevator, and then comes the news of the accidental death of Frank Parsons by a runaway team near Grand Junction, Co., on Tuesday. These three boys were raised close together and when Peter Droz was teaching at Sodom, in Cedar township, Robert CORR was one of his pupils, and Frank Parsons lived close by. Many were the good times that were enjoyed by the three boys at literaries and spelling schools, and it seems strange that the three boys should meet their deaths in three consecutive days. All three have many friends in this county and especially in Cedar township, who will tender their sympathy to their families and relatives in this, their dark hour of sorrow. * * *

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"The Fairfield Journal"
Thursday, May 21, 1908
Page 2, Column 3

CEDAR.

When poeple read in the late paper of the sudden death of Frank Parsons, it was called to mid that this made the third accidental death of three Cedar township boys in three days, Robert CORR being killed by the cars, Peter Droz was killed on Monday in Denver by an elevator and then comes the news of the accidental of Frank Parsons by a runaway team near Grand Junction, Colo. on Tuesday. These three boys were raised close together and when Peter was teaching at Sodom, in Cedar township, Robert CORR was one of his scholars and Frank lived near.

Many were the good times that were enjoyed by the three at literaries and spelling schools. It seems strange that the three boys should meet their death in three consecutive days. They all have many friends in the county and especially in Cedar township who will tender their sympathy to their families and relatives in this their dark home of sorrow.

~~~~

"The Fairfield Journal"
Wednesday, May 27, 1908
Page 6, Column 4

CEDAR.

When people read in the late paper of the sudden death of Frank Parsons, it was called to mind that this made the third accidental death of three Cedar township boys in three days, Robert CORR being killed in Fairfield on Sunday by the cars, Peter Droz was killed on Monday in Denber by an elevator and then comes the news of the accidental death of Frank Parsons by a runaway team near Grand Junction, Colo. on Tuesday. These three boys were raised close together and when Peter was teaching at Sodom, in Cedar township, Robert CORR was one of his scholars and Frank lived near.

Many were the good times that were enjoyed by these three at literaries and spelling schools. It seems strange that the three boys should meet their death in three consecutive days. They all have many friends in the county and especially in Cedar township who will tender their sympathy to their families and relatives in this their dark home of sorrow. ...

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot SDiv.1-012, with no gravestone. He was married twice, first to Mary M. PHIPPS and second to Selina Willsdorf HARDYMAN.