Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-06
LIFE CRUSHED OUT.
Mr.. BENJAMIN COOKE KILLED ON THE
YORK-RIveR TRACK.
Way He Comes I'm Fatal Con-
tact with Another.

Mr.. BENJAMIN +. Cooke, aged about sixty
three years, was crushed to death shortly
before noon yesterday by shifting-engine
of the Richmond and Danville railroad.
The accident occurred near the corner
Of Twenty y-eighth andDock streets. ana
was one of that nature that could hardly
have been avoided.
Mr.. Cooke. who WIS ship-carpenter by
trade, had been engaged in making repairs
on the schooner Eva. now in the ship-lock
at Sweeney's ferry, just at the mouth ottne
dock, and about half-past 10 he stopped
work, saving that he intended going up-
town. Upon his return the accident hap
pencd which terminated bis life.
HOW II OCCURRED.
AT the point where the accident occurred
there are two lines of track-one the pro-
perty of the Chesapeake and Ohio and the
other of the Richmond and Danvllle road.
The Chesapeake and Ohio runs into TINS
street from between the dock and the
river.
MIR. Cooke while passing was looking at
freight train of the Chesapeake and ono,
which was heavily loaded, having thirty
cars attached and when he saw II ap--
preaching him from the west he stepped
from between the rails and stood on the
Richmond and Danvilic track, not seeing
tram of four cars which was approaching
on that road from the opposite direction.
He was go intent upon watching the former
train that he was perfectly unaware that
one was also nearing him on the Uanvilie
road. although IL was quite close TO MIN.
TOO NEAR TO HIN.
As the locomotive was running with the
tender foremost il was not until the tram
was within few feet Of Dir. Cooke that
the engineer and fireman saw him. Both
of them shouted to him, bat although the
train was only running at the r0te OF
about three miles an hour it was impossi-
bic TO stop it, and il could only be checked
after IT had passed ten feet beyond the
place where Mr.. Cooke had been seen
standing. Then il was too late. The man
had been struck, knocked, down, ana op-
parenfly dragged some distance by the
brake-rOd.
DIED IN TEN MINUTES.
The fireman and brakeman jumped down
from the engine-cab, immediately picked
mn the wounded man and laid him TO one
side Of the track. but they could do httle
to aid him, as he had been struck by the
wheels on his right thigh and hip. and
was badly mangled. He was so severely
hurt that he never spoke or made any sign
whatever aud died in ten minutes after the
accident.
In few minutes the news Of the acci-
dent spread rapidly, and large number OF
railroad operatives and hands from the
surrounding factories crowded around TO
view the body.
NO NEED OF INQUEST.
Policemen Talman and Otey came to
hand and prevented them from disturbing
the remains until the Coroner was called.
In the mean time some one 'phoned tor
the ambulance, which arrived shortly after
wards on the scene; but its services were
not needed. q,
After short while the Coroner arrived
and by investigation found that there was
no necessity for an inquest, as the manner
in which the man came TO his death was
perfectly plain.
Railroad officials took the bodyin charge
and carried it to the eundertaking-rooms of
Mr. J.. L. Christian. where 1t was prepared
for burial.
PERSONAL.
Mr.. Cooke was widOwer. and boarded
on Broad street between First and Second.
over Joel's iowelry-store. He leaves two
daughters-one OF whom IL married ana
resides on Church Hill the other Is
young lady about eighteen years old.
The accident does not seem TO nave been
due 10 any carelessness on the part OF
the engineer or fireman Of the train which
ran into Mr. Cooke. and they both posi-
lively assert that the bell was ringing at
the time of the fatal occurrence.