Killed By the Train - New Market Herald [New Market, Iowa] As a double headed freight train was pulling through the yards of the K & W Ry in this city last Sunday, Austin Raper was struck and fatally injured. In just 20 minutes after the accident he died. Engineer Davis, on the front engine whistled, and gave every other signal possible to save the victim, but it was all in vain. Mr. Raper was almost totally deaf and with his head down apparently in deep thought, he walked directly into the engine. The force of the clash threw him tumbling to the side of the track, where a number of spectators who witnessed the accident, rushed, to find him dying. A medical examination showed one limb broken in two places, a deep gash on the other limb, very likely where the step on the cowcatcher struck, as he was walking on the end of the ties. The fatal wound was a fracture in the skull, to such an extent that the brains were visible.

The coroner, Dr Dunn, of Siam, was telephoned, but could not get here and gave orders for an inquest by Mayor Abbott. A jury was promptly sworn and after hearing the evidence returned the verdict: "The deceased came to his death by accident and through no fault of the engineer or employees of the railroad company." The train was held until after the inquest, about an hour, when it was allowed to pass. Engineer Davis, on the front engine, and in fact the entire crew, were very much affected over the unfortunate accident. The remains were taken to the home of the deceased where they were given in charge of the undertaker.

Mr Raper was a poor man and a cripple, and leaves a wife and eleven children. For some time, at times he was slightly deranged mentally, but his worst misfortune was his deafness. Last winter the family were made homeless, by having the house in which they lived burned to the ground, including their clothing and furniture. The citizens contributed to their assistance, and they had just begun to get started again.

Richard A. Raper was born in Illinois, Oct 13, 1853 and died in New Market, Iowa, September 23, 1906, aged 63 years, 11 months, and 20 days. He united in marriage to Spedie Powell in Taylor county, Iowa, Feb 15, 1877. To this union were born 11 children all of which live. The funeral was held at the house on Tuesday at 2 pm, and interment taken in the Dallas Center cemetery.