The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-02-20

which M. Quigley. switchman in the EN-
ploy of that road came to his instant death
The accident was caused by the coming
together of two freight cars OF different
heights, the bumpers refusing to protec
the man who was between them in the ac
of making coupling. He was caught By
the iron work surrounding the ends OF the
respective cars, and was literally crushed
to death. A subsequent examination OF
his body revealing the fact that the bones
of the neck had been crushed to pieces
THE FACTS,
about the mishap as learned from those
most familiar with the case, are that "a
freight train under Conductor Tate, ar
rived from Chicago last evening at about
7 o'clock. The work Of rearranging the
cars was Immediately commenced.
Engaged in the work were Engineer w.
F. Gilmore and Fireman Thomas Connolly,
of engine No. 81, and Thomas and the de-
ceased, NJ Quigley. The train was sepa-
rated and new cars taken up, The train
had been made up as far as ten cars, and
while the engine, with these cars attached,
was moving down to couple on the elev-
enth car, the accident occurred which
caused Quigley's death.
THE LAST CAR
and the one to be coupled on were Of diff
ferent heights. The train backed down
and the deceased gave the necessary sig
nal to stop when he passed in between the
cars to make the coupling. This was at a
point almost directly opposite the street
car stables ON Moline avenue
The cars came together, and instead of
the bumpers meeting, one of them was
forced on top of the other and thus the
two cars came almost together. The
IRON of one car struck the woodwork OF
the other.
THE DECEASED
was between the cars and had his neck
caught by the two cars, and in this man
ner his death was caused in a very short
time.
: One of the witnesses saw him pinioned
n this fashion. AS soon as the cars sep
arated, he fell to the ground, and never
articulated sound after his injury
The diseased had only been working in
she yards short time, and but very little
IS known concerning him. He is represent-
ed to be man Of some twenty-four years
Of age. He was married, as a certificate of
that character was found in his possession.
It is believed that his wife resides in Des
Moines, as he stated that he formerly lived
N that city.
His remains were taken in charge by
undertaken Knox last night. kilograms
were sent to Des Moines this morning, but
so far no answer has been received and
she final disposition of the body has not
pet been decided upon.
INQUEST
Coroner Morris was notified of the occur
'ence, and at late hour this morning re-
paired to the up per depot, on Moline aven-
he, where an inquest was held in the gentle
mems waiting room.
The jury consisted of We. Reooks,. W
Gamble, H. P Hull, George Wagner, W
Schroeder and Barney McCabe.
The examination attracted large crowd
# spectators, including a fair number of
abroad men.
Only few witnesses were examined,
nd they were all from the yard The pc
uliar situation of the man when he was
,illed rendered the securing of direct testi-
1ony next to impossible.
The first witness called was
j. H THOMAS,
light yardmaster of the c.. r. I. & p, tss-
fed that the deceased commenced work |
/ the yard on the night of the 18th. He |
lformed witness that he had been en-
loyed at Des -Moines. Witness was not /
the switch shshty when the accident
scurred, thought it was about eight |
clock last Saturday evening Was in
,rmed OF the accident Immediately after
ards and went to the spot indicated and
,und man lying on the ground. Tele-
honed for DR.. Plummer The man was
cad before he returned from the telephone.
he body was brought to the baggage
'om. There is iron and other obstruc-
on about the yard. Found the lantern
the deceased, it was out and the handle
as gone. It is customary to use a crook
lamp when the cara are of different
light. Did not consider the coupling
fhcult one to make
FRANK wEIGARD,
switchman, testified that the deceased
rs good switchman, and seemed to be
Der and reliable. Witness was walking
WIN near the engine and deceased was at
0 end of the cars. There were ten cars .
the line. The train was going about
ur miles an hour. Witness gave the
,nal TO slow when The cars approached ]
. car to be coupled on. The engineer
WED down to the coupling gait; saw the
1tern of the deceased as he went to make
} coupling. As soon as the cars came !
gether, witness pulled the bolt on one ]
:. and the engine and car pulled east
itness walked up the track, and when
enty cars length away learned of the ac-
lent Witness went down to where the
N was hurt. He was lying with his head !.
1o a