A FAST MAIL VICTIM

Alva Wilson, Aged Resident of State Center, Run Down and Instantly Killed.

Was in the Act of Crossing the Track at State Center When Struck

Body is Thrown 150 Feet and Every Bone Broken—Skull Severed From Head

The Northwestern fast mail, No. 15, claimed another victim this morning, when, at about 10:30 o’clock, at State Center, the second station west of this city, it struck and instantly killed Alva Wilson, one of the old residents and early settlers of that place.

The accident occurred on what is known as the opera house crossing. Mr. Wilson, who is a man about 80 years of age, had been up town, and at the time of the accident was on his way home. It is thought that he supposed the fast mail had gone, as it was past due, and did not take the necessary precaution of looking toward the east to see if the train was approaching. Consequently he stepped just over the outside rail when the engine, No. 199, one of the fast “ocean liners,” struck him. He was thrown 150 feet and when picked up it was found that every bone in his body, practically, had been broken. His skull was also crushed and was completely severed from the head.

The remains of the unfortunate old man were picked up and carried to a neighboring building, and a telegraph message was immediately sent to Coroner Lierle, in this city. As the coroner was out of the city on business, and did not return until about noon, he decided to do nothing regarding an inquest until evening, and will go to State Center on the local train at 5:05 to conduct the same, if he deems it necessary after investigating carefully the circumstances.

Mr. Wilson was a man highly esteemed in State Center, and every one who knew him liked and respected him. He came to State Center in an early day, when the town was a very small village, and located on a farm four miles east of town, which he owned at the time of his death. In recent years he removed into town, in order that he might take life a little easier. He leaves three daughters and a son. The son lives on the old homestead, while one of the daughters, Mrs. George Parsons, resides west of State Center. Two unmarried daughters lived with their father.

At the present time it is not definitely known when the funeral will occur, but it will probably be held Monday from the family home.

          ---Evening Times-Republican, Marshalltown, Oct. 7, 1899

 

Likely to be Censured

Coroner’s Inquest Over Wilson Remains, at State Center, set for Tuesday.

The inquest over the remains of Alvin Wilson, the aged gentleman killed at State Center Saturday morning by the C.& N.W. fast mail train, was set for today instead of Saturday evening, a was expected. Coroner Lierle, accompanied by a T.-R. reporter, -went to State Center on the local train Saturday evening. After swearing in a jury and subpoenaing several witnesses the coroner received a telephone message from the company’s attorney in this city requesting that the inquest be postponed until Monday, so that the company could have its men present. This was agreed upon and nothing further was done by the coroner except to carefully investigate the circumstances of the death and go over the ground.

Mrs. J.F. Cowan and little daughter Mabel, the latter 8 years of age, seemed to be the nearest witnesses to the accident. They were about 100 feet distant, and Mrs. Cowan, seeing the man’s danger, motioned and called to him to be careful. She says that Mr. Wilson seemed confused, hesitated a moment before crossing the track, evidently with the idea that he had time to cross. She thinks he did not realize how close the train was to him, even though he did see it.

Messrs. Chris Hansen, E.G. Hoppes, C.H. Shere were sworn in by Coroner Lierle as jurymen, and as witnesses there were subpoenaed S.M. Brimhall, J. Smith, M. Jerome Barnes, Mr. And Mrs. Cowan and daughter, Mayor Frank Walker and Agent William Tate, of the company. The principal thing to prove, says the coroner, is how fast the train was running through the town. There is no doubt but that Mr. Wilson came to his death by his own fault, as he could not have helped seeing the train. On the other hand there is a town ordinance at State Center regulating the speed of trains through the town at six miles an hour. The state law allows the maximum speed of eight miles, and the fast mail at the time Wilson was killed was running between forty and forty-five miles an hour. This statement is vouched for by Conductor J.A. Perry. For this reason it is thought the jury will lay some blame to the company.

Engineer Thomas Keefe had charge of the engine that struck the unfortunate man.

The deceased was an older resident of the county than supposed Saturday. He had lived for forty-three years, until within the last two or three years, on his 280-acre farm two miles west of LaMoille. His family is composed of a wife and seven children. Two of his daughters, Misses Jane and Marietta Wilson, lived with their father and a third, Mrs. George Parsons, lives west of State Center a few miles. Of his sons, William Wilson lives on the old homestead west of LaMoille; Ephriam resides in LaMoille; Henry near Rhodes and John Wilson at Sheldon, O’Brien county.

The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at 1 o’clock at the Congregational church, LaMoille, Rev. __ ___ officiating. The interment was at the Marietta cemetery.

          ---Marshalltown Times-Republican, Oct. 8, 1899

 

THE WILSON INQUEST

Jury Reports That Alvin Wilson Was Killed by a Northwester Train, Running at an Unlawful Speed.

The inquest over the remains of the late Alvin Wilson, who was killed by the Northwestern fast mail at State Center last Saturday morning, was conducted by Coroner Lierle this morning. After the witnesses were examined, the jury reported that the deceased came to his death by being struck by train No. 15, of the Chicago & Northwestern road, while running at an unlawful rate of speed through the town of State Center. This will leave the matter open for future action if the relatives see fit to take it up.

          ---Marshalltown Times-Republican, Oct. 10, 1899

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