The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-12
WAS STRUCK BY A CAR
FRANK JENNINGS, A PAINTER.
MEETS DEATH AT BROAD RIPPLE.
Run Down by an empty" In Charge
OF Barn Man-Said to Have
Been Without Lights.

> An accident occurerd on the line Of the
Broad Ripple Electric Railway last night
which resulted in the death of Frank Jen-
hlngs, painter, living at Broad Ripple At
1920 Jennings was brought to the City Hos
pital by the marshal of that place in the
ambulance, and after a thorough examina-
ton of his wounds Dr. Morgan expressed
the opinion that he could hardly live
through the night Besides a number of
scalp wounds, he suffered compound frac-
ture of the left arm, from which the bone
protruded through the skin. His left leg
was so badly mangled that it was hard to
tell how many fractures there were in it,
In addition to this, there was compound
fracture of the right femur. 1t was decided
That II he recovered from the shock of the
accident and was conscious an amputation
Of the mangled leg would be made, but as
ne showed no indications of anything but a
gradual weakening no step in this direction
was attempted.
F Jennings was forty-one years of age and
his parents live at Nora, where he has until
day or two ago lived while working at his
trade in Broad Ripple. Recently, however,
he has, together with John and Matt Leach,
of that place, bought tent, in which it
was designed that the trio would camp
for the season while working in town. The
three were together last night when the ac-
cident occurred, and as soon as it could be
done Matt Leach sent the doleful message
to the family of Jennings at Nora, with the
statement that he was dead.
According to the story of the Leach broth
ers the accident occurred as follows The
three were returning from Broad Ripple
Park together. walking along the street.
railway tracks. When a few rods from the
railroad crossing Matt Leach glanced back
ward and saw dark object coming to-
ward them. Calling Johns attention to it
the latter CALCULATED look out there's a car
coming at the same time jumping from
the track barely in time to escape being
struck.
Jennings, however, did not hear him and
before he could be made to understand his
danger car in charge of Peter De Lilo, a
car-barn man, struck him and passed on
in spite of the calls from the Leach broth
ers. The car, the men are positive, was
without a headlight and was going at top
speed when 1t passed them. Quickly going
and terribly mutilated. Raising him partly
up they found him limp and CHASTITY and
with a cry of MY God, he's dead" the men
rushed toward the railroad crossing, shout
ing as they went. Hearing their cries De
Lilo. who had stopped at that point, looked
back and when, they came up was accosted
have have done?" No" said he in reply. wen
you have killed Jennings" said John Leach
or a moment LIE LILO COulu not redllZe
it and stared at his informants stupidity,
but finally, when the true meaning
of the affair came to his mind he sank
down on his car platform and wept bitter
ly. saying that he did not know until that
moment that he had even struck anything.
One of the Leach brothers went on to the
station with De Lilo and reported the mat
ter to the marshal who telephoned at once
to this city fol. the ambulance. Jennings
never recovered consciousness and was
brought to the City Hospital apparently
dead.
De Lilo is not a regular motorman and
was merely bringing the car from the park
to the station for the night, when he
struck Jennings. Several people who have
heard of his statement about not knowing
that he had struck Jennings accept it with
incredulity as il is not thought to be pos
sible that he could have missed feeling the
Jar that such a blow would cause even if
he did not see the man. No step was how
ever. taken to place him under arrest by
the Broad Ripple police last night. 1t was
impossible at the late hour that the facts be-
came public to get statement from De
Lilo. At 1910 this morning Jennings died
without recovering consciousness.