The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-03-29
OTTAWA, ILL.,, SATURDAY, MARCH 90 1873


) On Monday evening last Hon John c, Champ
lin, Of this city, met with most horrible fate
He was returning from down town to his resi-
dcnce which Is not far from the 4th ward schoo
house, in this city. It was about eleven O'Clock
p. NJ and in addition to being very dark night
the ground was covered with glare of ice On
reaching the railroad depot he found a very long
train of cars occupying the way, blocking up tive
or three streets. To get past he probably at.
tempted to pass around to the rear, and went in
the direction of the caboosc light, at the lower
end of the train. The distance was greater than
he anticipated, owing to the optical illusion
which makes light at night look much nearer
than it really is. On getting to the end of the
train he found that it would be n much shorter
distance to go forward to the bank of the feeder
only about % feet away, and thence returning on
that, arrive at the back of his house He tried to
cross the bridge, but stepping between the spaces
of the crossing he fell. The bridge is not plank.
ed, and it is with difficulty that one can cross
it on foot in daylight, owing to the unequal dis.
tances of the plank ties. The ties and rail were
covered with ice, and the Judge tried to feel his
way across upon his hands and knees. While in
this position the eleven o'clock freight train came
laundering down upon him. The engineer saw
the doomed man, but too late. The engine
was reversed, the whistle shricked a warning and
down breaks, and the PROSTATE man made an
effort to throw himself off into the feeder but in
an instant the pondcrous engine had crunchcd
his bones and torn his quivering flesh and passed
over him. The train was stopped in going about
30 feet, and the mangled person of Judge Champ
lin lifted from the bloody track and taken back
to the depot, and his wife and a surgeon sent
for. His left arm was cut Off above the elbow.
His left leg was cut across between the thigh
and knee joints, and terribly crushed and hang
ing only by shrcds to the remainder and many
other wounds were visible. Although manned
and crushed in this fearful manner, he remained
alive for nearly two hours, and was conscious
even after his wife and DIR. Dyer came He gave
in few brief words substantially the above
account of the accident. .......-. inf
He was 81 years Old and fora great many years
had been member of the bar of Ottawa. He
came here in about 1897 and has resided here and
been prominent citizen ever since. Hc was
elected County Judge in 1856, and reelected in
1851 He was an upright Judge and had one of
the best legal minds in the state, and was gen
tleman of culture. He had q fine fund of general
knowledge and considerable scholarly attain
mcnts and distinguished himself on many an
occasion in elegant and poetical public ad
dresses. He was a man Of fine natural ability,
and for years stood fully up with the leading at
torneys of the state.
The members Of the bar of this city met at the
Court House, on Tuesday, and passed a rcsolu-
ton to attend his funeral in body, which they
did on Wednesday, The following committee
we're appointed by the bar meeting to draft reso-
lutions, viz: Lorenzo Leland, NJ. II. Swift and D,
P. Jones. A general meeting of the bar will be
held on Monday next at the Court House.
. y NJ