Volding, Martha c1818 - 1905

VOLDING

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:45

Source: Decorah Republican Apr. 27, 1905 P2 C3

KILLED BY THE CARS.
Martha Volding Died from Injuries Received by Being Struck by the Rock Island Passenger.
Last Thursday afternoon shortly before two o’clock Martha Volding, aged 87 years, was struck by the out-going Rock Island passenger train while attempting to cross the track in the Decorah yard. Mrs. Volding was a county charge and during the winter time has lived with a niece on the flat north of Dry Run. In the spring it has been her custom to move to a little house just east of the creamery where she resided during the summer months. Her goods had been loaded upon the dray and were being conveyed to her home and she started to walk there. It is not known whether she crossed Dry Run at the Williams street bridge or on a stone crosing{sic} near the Rock Island round house, but she came out from behind the round house and coal platform just after the train had started from the depot. Evidently she became confused for she attempted to run across the main track and in place of running away from the train she ran toward it. She was struck on the right arm by the pilot cross beam, and arm was broken and she sustained bruises on her right side. The train could not have been going at a very rapid pace as she was hurled only about six feet from the track. The train stopped and she was picked up and taken back to the depot where she was attended by Dr. Stevens, but her injuries were such that she died at 2:25. Coroner Jewell held an inquest Friday and from the testimony offered the jury, which consisted of F. S Putnam, Herman Tavener and Luther Reed, returned a verdict of accidental death due to the victim’s own carelessness.
Engineer William Byers, one of the oldest, most efficient and careful employees of the road, was in charge of the engine and probably he was more deeply grieved over the accident than anyone. No one who knew of the circumstances considers that either the company or its employees were in any way to blame for Mrs. Volding’s death.