Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-09-14
S. E. SMITHS SAD DEATH.
A Former Citizen of Extra Falls From
Train and Is Instantly Killed.


The following clipping is from
the Waterloo Daily Courier of Sep
TENDER 7, giving the details of the
tragic death of Ed. Smith, formerly
of Extra. Mr.. Smith was we'll known
here, being son of Wesley Smith,
who at one time run the dray line
in Extra:
Deputy Sheriff Samuel E. Smith was in
stantly killed last night by falling or
alighting from Illinois Central passenger
No. 1, in front of the court house, and his
mangled remains were found few min
| utes later by Brakeman Robert Wright
who saw him on the steps of the car and
went back to see if he was all right.
When Mr. Wright arrived on the scene
| he found Mr.. Smiths body lying beside
| the track in front of the residence of Sam
uel Smith, carpenter living at 1909 Water
| street, next door to the court house with
| the head to the west, the legs crossed, the
arms extended, right arm being against
| the rail and the hand gone, the wheels
having passed over it and completely sew
| ering it. The head was split open in the
| back and the brains were gone so that it
was evident that death had been instarl-
| taneous, as the traces in the sand showed
| that the body first struck the ground
| about two rods back of where it was found
| and the speed of the train at this point is
| such that the time it would take for the
| train to traverse the distance from where
| he first struck to the point where the body
| was found would be almost incomputabl
| The brakeman at once notified the police
and railroad men and all responded
| quickly, the railroad men going to the
scene on an engine which was in the
yard at the time. Physicians were also
| summoned, but were later telephoned
| that it was unnecessary for them to come
as there was no possible hope of doing
| anything. Coroner Waddey was also
summoned and soon reported but did not
| deem it necessary to hold an inquest un.
| less Mrs. Smith especially requested it
| The remains were then taken to the un.
| dertaking parlors where they were pre-,
| pared for burial.
| Mr.. Smith was born in Hiland, o., No.
vember 10Th, 1860, and when quite young
| man came west, locating in Audubon
county, where he resided until few years
ago when he removed to this county and
| took up his residence on the farm of Noah
| Williams until 1896, when he was appoint.
ed deputy sheriff by Sheriff Law, which
| office he has since held, and the duties OF
which he has so faithfully performed. Mr.
Smith who lived at 215.. East Tenth
| street, leaves wife, Ida c. Smith, and
three children, Grace, aged IL, Ora, age g.
and Wesley, aged 3 years. The news OF
awful accident was broken to Mrs. Smith
| who is almost Frustrated with grief.
| Mr.. Smith was a member of the NJ. w. A
| lodge, No. 1892, of Hudson, and also carried
| So 600 policy in the Aetna Accident ms
Co.. also $1,000 policy in the Modern Ac
cident ms. CO., making total of $4,000 OF
| insurance all of which is in full force.
| Mr.. Law was seen this morning and
CAV e his opinion that Mr.. Smith had fallen
from the train as the subject of jumping
from moving trains was one which they
had discussed together and one upo1
which Mr.. Smith had decided views, say
ing that he could not see why anyone
would take chances. 1t is Mr.. Laws opin
ion that he stepped out onto the lower stel
and slipped, his body swinging arounc
under the car and his head striking
break beam causing the cash in the baCl
of his head which must have caused in
slant death. In times past Mr.. Smith hat
alighted at the c. G. w. crossing thus say
ing several blocks walk in going home
and it is probable that this was his inte1l
ton this time.
As to Mr. Smith, nothing to high il
commentator can be said of him. H,
was a kind and loving husband and fathe
and was one of the most popular officer
Blackhawk county ever had. His pleasan
smile and genial good hunor will b,
| greatly missed in official and court circles
:Foley's Kidney Cure has been testet
and found to be all you claimed for it
| have been giving 1t to my father ant
it the only thing that ever helped HIM