J. Dudley Allen (1867-1889)

ALLEN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/8/2011 at 22:02:27

From Story County Watchman September 6, 1889

Des Moines Leader 5: The first fatal accident to occur in the handling of state fair crowds for many years occurred at the crossing of the Rock Island and North-western tracks on east fourth street at noon yesterday. By it Dudley Allen, fireman of the Northwestern switch engine No. 231 had been doing some switching on the spur track running to the linseed oil mill, the switch connected with the main track but a short distance south of the Rock Island double tracks. It ran on to the main line and proceeded north, having stopped as required by law, and received the signal to proceed from the Rock Island flagman. At the same time a heavy fair ground train, pulled by engine No. 292, came in and either through failure on the part of the flagman to give the proper signal or a misunderstanding of it, the train was not stopped. The two engines met at the crossing, running a right angles. The Rock Island train was running at a good rate of speed and being backed by a heavy train the Northwestern engive was thrown around until it headed east and west instead of north and south. The shock was terrible one, and both engines were badly damaged. The fireman of the Northwestern engine either jumped or was thrown from his engine by the force of the collision and was caught between the tender of his engine and Rock Island engine and was instantly killed, his skull being crushed and body otherwise badly bruised. Mr. Allen was a young mas about 22 years of age, and unmarried. His parents live at Ames. He was highly respected by all his acquaintances among the railroad boys. The remains were taken to Shank's undertaking establishment and prepared for burial and were taken to Ames last night where the body will be interred.

Mr. Allen is a resident of Ames and formerly of Colo. He was a young man of promise and integrity and his many friends are sorry to learn of his untimely death.