Iowa
Old Press
The Gazette
Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County
February 17, 1893
Fatal Accident;
Resulting in the Death of Mrs. W. P. Fairchild by an I.C.
Passenger Train from the Branch
Last Monday evening at 6:20 a terrible accident occurred on the
Illinois Central at the road crossing one and a fourth miles east
of the Cedar Falls Junction. Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Fairchild of this
city were going to the home of Mrs. Fairchild's sister, who lives
on the Geo. Leland farm just east of the crossing. As they were
driving over the railroad track the evening passenger train from
Branch, J. S. Jenness, conductor and "Uncle Jim" Place,
the engineer; came rapidly down the track. The whistle was blown,
but Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild were so closely muffled they did not
discover their danger till the head light shone upon their horse
from behind them, the angle made there by the wagon road and
track, being very acute. It was too late to stop the horse which
became frightened. It got across the track but the engine struck
the sleigh and broke it in pieces. Every effort was made to stop
the train which was brought to a stand within two lengths of a
telegraph pole from the crossing. Search was at once made for the
occupants of the sleigh, whom it was supposed had been thrown
some distance, but both were on the pilot of the engine, Mrs.
Fairchild upon the bumper beam crowded against the braces,
unconscious, her back and hip broken, and a severe wound upon her
scalp. She never recovered consciousness. Mr. Fairchild had a
scalp wound about seven inches in length, the scalp torn loose
from the scull and his neck cut, but injuries are not considered
serious. The unfortunate man and wife were both placed upon the
train and taken to Waterloo where medical aid was secured. The
horse ran to the home of Mrs. Fairchild's sister near the scene
of the accident, and they at once hitched up and drove to
Waterloo, arriving before the death of Mrs. Fairchild. Train men
assert that the whistle was blown for the crossing and the
accident was the result of the failure of Mr. Fairchild to hear
it. An inquest was held
Tuesday before Coroner Chase and a jury consisting of A. Jackson,
C. P. Artman and H. R. Campbell at Waterloo. Engineer Place
testified that he left Cedar Falls Junction about five minutes
late and was running at a good rate of speed. He whistled and
rang the bell for the crossing, but didn't see the sleigh until
the train was close onto it. He then set the brakes and stopped
the train within about the distance of two telegraph poles. W. W.
Forry, who was a passenger on the train testifed that he heard
the whistle blow for the crossing and that it had a sharp, shrill
sound. Soon after, the train was stopped. Mrs. L. B. Taylor, of
Cedar Falls, testified that Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild left her house
to drive out to Mrs. F.'s sister's and that Mrs. Fairchild was
closely wrapped up on account of recent ill health, and Mr.
Fairchild had on a heavy coat, the collar of which was turned up,
and also had his cap pulled down over his ears. Mr. Fairchild
testified that he did not hear or see the train until it was
close upon them, and the next he knew they were thrown onto the
pilot of the engine. After listening to the evidence, the jury
returned a verdict in accordance with the facts and added: "
We find from the evidence, that the whistle was blown and the
bell rung in accordance with the rules of the railroad company
and the laws of Iowa, and fail to see where blame attaches to any
person". Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild have resided in this place
for several years and are kindly spoken of by all who know them.
They were living of late in the Tondro house near the I. C.
depot. She was formerly a teacher and he has been working at
carpentering. They were preparing to move to the farm of John
Plantz near Fitchford. Mr. Plantz being about to move to Des
Moines. Mr. Fairchild is about 31 and his deceased wife 28 years
of age. They buried their only child, a babe, last summer. She
was the sister of Mrs. Charles A. Shelly on West 1st St. and of
Lee Taylor of Waverly. The body of Mrs. Fairchild was brought
from Waterloo Wednesday, and is at the home of her sister, Mrs.
C. A. Shelley, west 1st street. Funeral services will be held
tomorrow at 2 o'clock from the home of Mr. Shelly.
[submitted by L.E., August 2003]