Omaha daily bee., 1901-02-06
NAN KILLED And BOYS HURT
Isaac Smiths Head Crushed Under Whesli
Of Locomotive.
HIS DEATH is MtRcFUlLy INSTANTANEOUS
skulls of Lads Are Fractured ana
one Dies Lnter-AIl Three In
wagon struck by
Train.

Isaac smith. junk dealer OF Missouri VAL
lev, while driving across the tracks OF the
Chicago e. Northwestern railroad on
Eleventh street at Avenue e yesterday
afternoon was run down and Instantly
killed by passenger train NO. D. James
smith. years OF age grandson Of Isaac
Smith and Joseph Coffman, young man
10 years Of age. living at 1iO6 Avenue e.
who were in the wagon, received wnat are
thought TO be fatal injuries.
The place we're tke accident occurred is
hut a few blocks from the city passenger
depot where No. was due at 3:iO O'Clock.
smith was on his way to the house, where
Young Coffman lived on Avenue Il, Just
west of the railroad track. II Is supposed
that owing to a clump OF willows that
fringes the track on the east side OF
Eleventh street, north OF Avenue T., smith
who was driving double team, hltched
to a heavy farm wagon, failed to notice the
approach of the train. The engine struck
the wagon about the middle, just as the
horses SHE'D TO one side, tearing
the box loose from the running gear. The
wagon box was overturned and carried
tweAty feet and Smith fell with his head
under the wheels OF the engine. His death
was instantaneous, as the back OF his head
was crushed TO pieces, exposing the entire
brain. Coffman and the little boy were
thrown thirty feet and both received frac-
tured skulls The horses broke loose and
ran down the side Of the track, escaping
injury
Both Boys Unconscious.
Coffman and the little boy we're removed as
quickly as possible to the baggage room at
the passenger depot. Both were unconscious,
ole ha
In their heads. Smiths body was left by
the track after It had been covered with a
blanket. until the arrival OF Coroner Trey
nor. who ordered II taken to Estep's un-
undertaking rooms, where tho inquest will
be held this morning.
Passenger No 3, the Northwestern's Chi
cago express train was in charge OF Con-
ductor Charles Van Groder, with NJ O'Don-
nell, engineer. and Fred McDermott. fire.
man All three. on reaching the depot, re-
ceived orders to make no statement until
/ the inquest Conductor Van Groder is re-
ported, however to have stated that the
train being slightly ahead of time, En-
gineer O'Donnell had slackened up a few
blocks before reaching Avenue f. and at
| the time Of the accident was running not
| over ten miles an hour. He also Is quote ed
as saying that the bell was rung and the
| bell was kept ringing as is the custom on
| reaching the approach to the depot.
Joe COnman Dies.
Joe Coffmnn died in the baggage room al
| the depot without regaining consciousness
| three hours after the accident. His bod!
was removed to the morgue.
| Isaac Smith was 60 years old and LIVED
| at Missouri Valley, where he was engaged
in the business OF buying junk, which h,
disposed of In this city. He came to Coun
| Gil Bluffs yesterday morning with a wagon
| load OF junk and on his way picked up hi
| little grandson, James, the son OF his onl,
daughter. who is married to John Smith
section hand In the employ OF the Illinois
| Central at st. Johns. a village two mile
this side Of Missouri Valley.
After dsposing OF the junk he met Jo
| Coffman, who lived with his parents n
| l106 Avenue r, aud at the latters invita-
tion was on his way to visit the Coffma,
family when the accident occurred, within
a few yards OF the young mans home
Coffman was laborer and had left hom
yesterday morning to shovel dirt at tn
sand bank, but for some reason or othe
did not go to work.
James Smith the little boy, was removes
last evening to St. Bernard's hospital
Late last night he had not regained con
seriousness and little hope vas entertained
OF his living through the nigh.
The inquest will be held at Q o'clock thi
morning.