Mrs. Susanna McMurray Jones 1825~1892

MC MURRAY, JONES, MILLISACK, CORREY, PICKET

Posted By: "IRISH EYES ARE SMILING" (email)
Date: 9/7/2015 at 14:12:41

Courtesy of the Ottumwa Courier Nov. 11, 1892

"FOUR BURNED ALIVE"

Ottumwa, Iowa Nov. 11~~A fearful catastrophe occurred on the Milwaukee road last night at Highland Center; a small station north of the city.

A fast freight train dashed into the caboose of the local freight train standing on the track; telescoping the caboose and four cars. The caboose caught fire and the scene was heartrending. Four people were burned alive and a number of others had narrow escapes.

The most pitiful case was that of Miss Lizzie Butler of this city; who had her head out the window and pleaded with those about to save her; but it was impossible. Mrs. Jones also of this city, tried to escape through a window and could not succeed but she was a unusually large woman and could not succeed. The other victims were a unknown woman and a unknown man. The latter is thought to be a butcher in Oscaloosa. The injured are; Mrs. Clyde Millisack and Mrs. Pickett of this city and Mrs. Lizzie Correy of Sigourney. They were badly burned but not fatally.

A curious incident was the one of the passengers was disguised and when the crash came; the disguise came off; revealing a noted crook. He quickly disappeared in the excitement.

The accident was caused by the local freight train being behind time. The fast freight was due at the switch south of Highland Center to meet a passenger train. Engineer Richardson says he saw no lights on the caboose, but testimony before the coronors jury states that the lights were out. None of the injured will die.

ps~~Mrs. Jones was Susanna McMurray Jones born 1825 and killed Nov 11, 1892. I have her on FAG. She is a relative of mine. Burial at Ottumwa Cemetery.