The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-08-25
J.F. H. M'KIBBEN
is DEAD.
Auditor of the Santa Fe Sue
cumbed This Morning.
Injuries Received at New Castle,
Colo, Caused Death.
A HORSE FELL ON HIM.
A Pack Animal Became UnruIy
and PIunging Fell.
The Body viii Probably Reach
Topeka Tomorrow.

J. F H. NIeKibben. auditor Of the
Atchisoh, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway
company died at $50 this morning at
New Castle. Colo, from the results of
injuries received yesterday afternoon.
Theodore. his 13-year-Old son, was the
only member of his family with him
at the time of his death.
The news of Mr.. NIcKibben's death is
a severe shock to his friends in this
city and in the east. Last Saturday
afternoon he left in company with his
son, Theodore, DR.. NJ. B. Ward and Mr..
A. c. Cole of Council Bluffs. Ia, for
Colorado on a months hunting trip in
the northwestern part of that state.
The party reached Denver Sunday aft
ernOon and were there Joined by Mr..
a. P. Tanner, general freight agent of
the Colorado Midland road, proceeding
to New Castle Sunday night.
Yesterday afternoon about 1:3O the
party left New Castle for the noun
tains, and when about three miles out
or that station Mr.. NIcKibben received
the injuries which caused his death
this morning A saddle on one of the
pack horses became loOsened and Mr..
McKibben dismOunted to rearrange it.
He caught the horse by the leading
strap which was around its neck, and
the animal at once commenced to rear
and back Mr.. McKibben pulled on the
strap. but by a sudden movement of
the horse was thrown heavily to the
ground, and at the same time the ami
NAL slipped and fell squarely upon his
body.
DR.. Ward and Mr.. Cole Immediately
sprang to his assistance and attempted
to raise him to his feet, but found that
OF
rigid and in a few moments he lapsed
into delirious condition A spring
wagon was hurriedly procured from |
Newcastle and he was taken to the
nome OF W. z. Damon. On examina-
tiOn 1t was found that no bones had
been broken, but that he was suffer-
ing from complete paralysis of the back
and neck due to injury of the brain and |
spine He remained in a delirious
condition during the night, never re
gaining consciousness, and died at $50 |
this morning.
The first Information of the accident |
to MT- McKibben was received at his /
office in the Santa Fe general office !
building few minutes past 4 o'clock |
yesterday afternoon. Mrs McKibben
was at once notified and arran ngements /
We're hurriedly made for her to leave on |
train No I at 4,30 which she did in |
company with Mr.. J. H Underwood. /
a cousin of Mr.. McKibben. She ar /
rived at La Junta, Col, at 1920 this /
morning and was there met by a spe-
cial car for her accommodation to Colo |
RADIO Springs. It is probable that she 1
will remain at that point and meet the /
remains there Although no definite |
1nfOrma ton has been received, it is /
probable that the party in charge of the |
remains Will leave Colorado Springs to- |
night and arrive in this city tomorrow |
afternoon at 4 o'clock.
Mr.. McKibben had the trip through |
Colorado in cOntempla ton for several |
weeks, and looked forward to it with |
the greatest interest His duties as |
f1r7f Il
looked upon the trip as a respite from /
the cares of his Office and an opportuni- /
ty to enjoy outdoor life and the pleas
ures of hunting. Instead of rest and |
pleasure, he left Topeka to meet his |
death.
Besides his widow, Mr.. McKibben
leaves a family of six children three
boys and three girls. The eldest, Stella
is II, and the youngest, Harold. a baby
not yet years old. He was a mem Der
of Sloan lodge of Masons and an Of
6cer of the Topeka club.
Mr.. McKibben's parents are dead. but
he has relatives in Mount Pleasant Ia
Ration. n. M, Springfield, No. St
Louis and Kansas City Among these
burg. n. NJ, and q. sister, Mrs. G. A
TomplSins of Kansas City.
There was no railroad official in the |
west more respected or better liked /
than J. F. H. McKibben. His frank |
hearty manner won him many friends |
both in social and business life, and
the prospect DeIOEe MN was one OF the ]
brightest.
Mr. McKibben was 81 years of age.
and therefore in the prime of life. He |
was born in Clinton county, Ohio. Jan
uary 5, 1889, but soon after removed to |
Mount Pleasant, Ia, where he made his /
home for q number of years. He was !
educated in the Iowa Wesleyan uni
versity at Mount Pleasant of which |
his father-in-law. DR. w. J. Spaulding |
was for sometime the president and
was married soon after graduating
In 1880, then p years of age, he en-
tered railway service as general book
keeper in the auditors Office of the St
Louis & San Francisco railway. This
position he held up to December, 1882.
when he was appointed to the position
OF tax commissioner of that road with
headquarters at St Louis and Spring
Ield, Mo The position of tax commits
sioher ne held for two years, leaving
tne service of the railway in January
1So4' 10 become accountant and cashier
OF Ihe Springfield Mercantile cOrnDaOv |
at Springfield. Mo. This place he held |
out a year. resigning in January 12Ss
10 accept the position of traveline~ a. |
countant of the Kansas & Texas Col |
company. On January / 1897 na 80 |
transferred to Pittsburg. Kan as aereT7t |
and manager of this company ana ra
1883 ~ 10 may,
On May 13, 1889. he again entered. rail
way service as secretary, treasurer and
auditor of the Wichita e Western Ill /
@S1y win headquarters in Wichita Kan |
When the Wichita & Western rs}171-a-- |
was MADE part Of the Santa Fe svs- |