Blakesburg Rail Accident Oct. 18, 1928

PETERSON, VAN CLEAVE, DOROTHY, CHISMAN

Posted By: Brian Van Cleave (email)
Date: 7/15/2002 at 15:33:02

The Blakesburg Excelsior, Oct. 18, 1928
LIFE OF RAILROAD MAN SNUFFED OUT FRIDAY MORNING
Very distressing accident occurs when motorcar jumps track.
Harry Peterson and Dan VanCleave are badly injured.
What proved to be one of the most distressing accidents that ever occurred in Blakesburg, happened here about ten o'clock Friday morning when the life of Lee Dorothy was snuffed out and Harry Peterson and Dan VanCleave were injured when the motor car on which they were riding to work on the Milwaukee railroad jumped the track one half mile North of the overhead wagon bridge. The car was being operated by Harry Peterson, section foreman, and it is said was traveling at only a moderate speed when the car jumped the track, rolling over and over down the right of way embankment. Accompanying the section boss were, Dan VanCleave, Lee Dorothy and Percy Chisman, members of the working crew. The men were thrown in different directions when the accident occurred. Chisman alighting on his feet and aside from the terrific jar was uninjured. Dorothy's head was crushed and death was instantaneous. VanCleave received several wounds. Peterson was injured more severely. He was badly bruised and cut about the head and face and the blood flowed freely. He paid no attention to his own injuries, worrying over the death of his neighbor and friend, Lee Dorothy. As soon as the accident was reported in Blakesburg, our citizens became frantic, some rushing to the scene and other to the station. A freight train at the station was sent to pick up the crew and brought the dead and injured to the station, where Drs. R.J. Belman and B.J. Bassinger gave them first aid attention. Peterson and VanCleave were taken to the Peterson home where their wounds were dressed, and they were rushed to St. Joseph hospital. VanCleave was released from the hospital and returned home. Peterson's condition was more serious, having received cuts above and below his right eye, a bad cut on the neck and bruised about the body. His nervous system was completely wrecked and was in no condition to be x-rayed all day Friday. Dorothy's body was kept at the station until the arrival of the coroner from Ottumwa. Then it was taken to Ottumwa where on Saturday an inquest was held. Just what caused the car to jump the track in all probability will never be known. Not one of the section crew are able to account for the sudden leap it made from the rails. Lee Dorothy's passing on is very sad for this community, where he has resided all his life. Besides his immediate family, a wife and nine children, he is survived by his parents, Mr. And Mrs. J. Q. Dorothy of this city.