The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-12-17
CAUSED BY A BROKEN AXLE
Railroad Officials Killed While on the
Line Discharging Their Duties.
Superintendent Wilson and Trainmaster
Cummins, of the Ohio, Indiana & Western,
Die in the Wreck of a Pay Car.

An accident yesterday morning on the
Ohio. Indiana IL Western railway, between
yeedersburg and Covington, caused by the
breaking of an axle of the ar. re-
suited in the death of Superintendent Isaac
II. Wilson and Trainmaster j. NJ. Cum
minis. These gentlemen had gone out with
the pay train, which left the Union Station
here about two hours before the accident
occurred. The train reached Wee
dcrsburg shortly before o o'clock.
Between that place and Cow
ington is q clean stretch of track. with
out curve or grade. But just before this
stretch is reached there is a sharp curve,
and it is customary for engineers to pro-
coed slowly around it. In the opinion of
some railroad officials it was here the axle
was strained. if not broken. the car not
breaking down until some distance along
the clear stretch.
The train was going at a high rate of
speed when there came the crash of break
ing timber, and a broken axle Of the rear
truck of the pay-car plowed its way
through the floor. At the same time the
car lurched heavily on one side. Mr.. Will
son, sitting on the south side of the car,
was thrown partially out Of q widow. His
right arm was broken in several places and
his head ami body were badly injured. Mr..
Cummins, on the north side, was thrown
across the ear and out of a window. but he
was caught IN the framework and
dragged u. with the car, about sixty
his body was almost u~nrecognizable.
In the car were also w. w. Lynn, auditor
and cashier of the road; j. III. NJ. Clagget,
car accountant, and Frank III. Wilson,
clerk to superintendent Wilson. Each
received bruises but not of a serious char
acter.
The news of the accident soon reached
this city. and among the first callers at the
neutrality-suspicious. Office was Mrs. Cummins.
Her grief was ipcOuSolable when the
death of her husband was confirmed
in later details from the scene of the wreck.
Mr.. Jacobs, of c. W. Fairbanks office. was
the first to carry the sad tidings to Mr..
Wilson's residence. No. 737 North Delaware
street. Mrs. Wilson was Frustrated with
grief. and refused at first to believe that
give up all hope until word from the train
dispatcher left no doubt as to the loss that
had befallen her.
Both Mr.. Wilson and Mr.. Cummins were
among the most popular railroad officials.
and for years were the warmest personal
friends. Mr.. Wilson was born in Saratoga.
n: l.. forty-three years ago, and at the age
OF seventeen entered the army and served
through The wal with great ~gallantry.
Five days before. peace was declared he
was called into a skirmish. in which he lost
his left arm. Coming home from the war.
he learned telegraphing, and for several
years was an operator IN Milford, o., for
the Panhandle lines. In 1872 he came on
to the l.. b. Il w. road. taking a like posi-
ton. and in 1879 was made chief train
1ran0fnQr Tuyn tnfAr h. xyaa mn.
pointed superintendent of telegraph, and
the next year became general s~uperintend-
ent of the road INT continued as such Of
ticial after the ampany was organized as
were fulfilled with marked ability
also president of the Railroad
Mems Loan and Building Association.
Mr.. Cunmins, born in Mount Vernon. o..
was in his forty-ninth year. When eight
cen years of age he went into the service of
the Baltimore & Ohio road, first as bag
ageman then as conductor. The last posi-
ton he held for some years, and then went
on to the Illinois Central road. where he
remained q short time. From there he
went to the Indianapolis & st. Louis road.
teen years: left it to accept the
position of superintendent of trans
p%ortation on the l., b. ~ w.
That was six years ago, and his service
had given the company the best reSuIts
that could follow from an earnest and faith
full discharge of duty.
The bodies OF Mr.. Wilson and Mr.. Cum
Minis were brought to this city yesterday
afternoon on q special train. The former
leaves a widow and daughter. who is -four
years of age. Mr.. Cummins also leaves a
daughter. May. who is sixteen years of age.
kilograms of sympathy were sent to the
families of both men by the president OF
the company. and T.. T.. Henderson. the late
general manager of the road. The day fol-
the funeral has nnf vet bean fixed