The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1913-08-15
PENlEL FARMER
KILLED BY TRAIN
Was Aged Man, and Deaf,
Therefore Did Not Hear
Warning.

Benjamin Harvey, a man perhap!
60 or more years of age, was strucl
by the north bound Ocala Northern
train No. 72 about 11:15 Tuesday
forenoon, and instantly killed.
The accident happened while the
train was turning a curve near the
81 mile post in the Peniel section
The man was seen walking north in
the middle of the track something
like 100 yards ahead of the engine
The engineer, who was first to dis
cover him, Immediately blew the
whistle and notified the fireman to
ring the bell; he also set the emergen-
cy brakes. The train was running at
the speed of about 25 miles an hour,
and was almost to a stop when the
man was struck. He was thrown TO
one side and the train had passed him
possibly the length of three or four
cars before it came to full stop.
On going back it was found that
the man was lying a little way from
the track perfectly still, and an exam
ination showed that death was in
Simultaneous. His skull was frac-
tured badly in the rear, his right leg
broken in two places so that the bone
protruded, and one or two Of his ribs
broken.
The body was left in charge Of a
train hand and the train made a quick
run to Palatka, where the sheritfs Of
fee was notified.
Deputy Hagan and Justice j. E.
Marshall went Immediately to the
scene of the accident and viewed the
oody. Justice Marshall i,npaneied
jury consisting of c. Fl. Wigg, j.
NJ. Vanlandingham, M. Saucer, Her.
bert A. Miller, W. A. Cannon and c.
P. Cannon, who heard the testimony
of Engineer w. A. Mayer, Chas.
Wright, the fireman, A. M. Pruett a
neighbor and Deputy Sheriff F. M.
Hagan. Their testimony was all in
accord with the facts as stated above.
Mr.. Pruett had known the deceased
some 18 months as a neighbor; he
was totally deaf; he was some 60 or
65 years of age, and his family was
in the north.
The verdict was in accordance with
The facts.
The body was turned over to Moon
ey & Davis, the undertakers, who pre-
pared it for burial.
Mr.. P. J. Becks probably knew the
dead man better than any one here
and he made it a point to see that his
family was notified. He went to the
house and from letters found there
learned that the wife and daughter
were visiting married daughter,
Mrs. William Scott, at Taughannock,
Fails, N. Y. He Immediately tele-
graphed them the sad news Of the
husband and fathers death. A re-
ply was not received until early
Wednesday morning and was to the
effect that they were starting imme-
liately for Palatka, and to bury at
Penel unless body would keep. Mr..
Davis will try and keep the body till
The arrival of Mrs. Harvey, which he
thinks should be by Friday noon at
latest.
Mr. Benjamin Harvey the victim
Of this distressing accident came
aere a year or more ago from Colora-
10, and through Mr.. ?. J. Becks' agen-
cy purchased the Hamp. Moody place
It peniel He had gone on the place
Immediately with his wife and daugh-
Ter and they had greatly improved
The farm. He had growing crops.
It is said that because Of age, they
we're thinking of dispOsing of the
place and going north to reside with
n near their daughter, Mrs. Scott.
Mrs. Harvey and the unmarried
laughter went north in June, and a
picture card addressed to "Dear Pa
pa" spoke happily of the pleasant
visit they were having.
This happiness was broken by the
telegram which told of the sudden
death of husband and father.