People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1899-03-03

D. w. Van Horn, a wealthy banker
at Clarendon, Tex, whose home was
in wellington, was run over and
killed by the north bound Rock Island
passenger train at Caldwell Wednes-
day morning about $40 o'clock. Both
legs were cut off at the hips and his
body dragged distance Of one hun
dred feet and horribly bruised. He
died at 1915 o'clock.
Mr.. Van Horn was on his way to
Wellington from Hot Springs, Ark,
where he had been taking treatment
for cancer Of the stomach. He board
ed the Rock Island train at Bowie,
Tex, Tuesday night. At Caldwell
next morning, where the train stops
for breakfast, he went up town and
returned just as the train was pulling
out OF the depot. He ran and caught
the trout end Of the chair Car as it
passed the street north of the depot.
In some manner he lost his hold and
was thrown under the train
feet forward. The chair car, sleeper
and private car Of the Rock
lslaLd officials passed over his legs
near The body, completely seyering
6Oth limbs. The flesh OF his limbs
and b ldy was Strewn along the track
the entire distance he was dragged.
A piece Of bone seven or eight inches
long from the upper part of one of
i his limbs was afterxard picked up
between the rails.
The train was stopped in response
to a signal from The Special car occu-
pied by the officials, who were Tie first
to notice tue mangled Remains as the
train passed the spot where he lay.
When the trainmen reached the body
they found Mr. Van Horn unconscious.
The body was carried into the depot
and medical assistance hastily sum-
mOned.
Mr.. Van Horns wife and three
daughters, and sOn.in-law, Ed Smith,
Major and Mrs. Ed Hayes, c. A. Gam.
brill and Judge W. 7. Mcbride went
to Caldwell over the Santa Fe at 10
O'Clock in response to the news of the
accident. When they arrived at
Caldwell they found Mr.. Van Horn
still unconscious. There was no hope
of him living, and it was decided to
bring him home on the Rock Island
local. He gained consciousness for
the first time as they were preparing
to bring him home. He recognized
aud spoke to those around him, and
realizing the impending death, re-
Quested his wife to take bis body upOB
arriving at home TO the undertaking
rooms instead Of to his residence. On
the way home he died, before the train
reached COrbin. The remains, upon
their arrival in Wellington, we're con-
veyed to an undertaking establish
ment for preparation for burial.
The deceased was born 10 Lockport,
New York. He was 6l years of aye
and veteran of the civil war. He
was elected To membership in James
Shields Post No, 81 Of this city, last
Friday night, and was to be mustered
in the coming Friday night. For
meritOriouS conduct in the war. be
was on May 10, 1866, breveted major
and twelve days later was breyeted
lieutenant colonel. he entered the
service as second lieutenant in the
Second New York Volunteer Cavalry,
He was appointed captain and aid de
camp April p, 1862. All of his com.
missions bear the signature of A.
Lincoln and Edward Stanton. He
was hoOarbly discharged as captain
from the service April l5, 1866, by a
special order of the war department.
Mr.. Van Horn at the time of his
death was prJsperously engaged in
the banking business at Clarendon,
Tex. His wife and four children,
Mrs. Ed Smith, and Blanche, Lorraine
and D. W., Jr., are all residents of
Wellington. The sympathy Of the
entire community goes out to them in
their terrible bereavement.