The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1913-07-25
Instantly Killed
Chris Ellerman, Superintendent Of
Railroad Boarding Houses Crushed
Beneath Locomotive


Chris Ellerman of Aberdeen
was killed by a locomative at
Twin Brooks last Saturday morn
ing about $50 o'clock.
The unfortunate man had Just
been to the Twin Brooks post
office and was going east on the
track from town to some of the
boarding cars near by, and was
not noticed by the engineer or
fireman on the locomotive which
was backing toward Milbank, the
engine crew not knowing of the
accident until arriving at Mil
bank.
Coroner Flett informed of the
accident repaired to Twin Brooks
and held an inquest with Emil
Lindquist, D. E. Filbert and G..
S. Breckenridge as Jurors, and
the following facts in regard to
the case were developed
John Flynn testified that he
was scrubbing the floor of the
cook house when he first saw a
hat lying on the track and then
noticed the mutilated body.
George Buchele saw engine at
depot where it stopped for a few
minutes. Saw Ellerman walking
on the track before the engine
reached him, and told the agent
he thought a man was run over.
Pet Oleson, who was near by,
says he did not hear whistle but
bell may have been rung.
Pat Sullivan-left Summit on
orders to run as third section of
No 81 to Twin Brooks and from
Twin Brooks to Milbank as Sec
ond section of "a. Stopped at
Twin Brooks for clearance orders
to go to Milbank. Was otaware
of accident until he reached Mil
bank and was notified and found
blood on tender.
John Krum-were to run to
Milbank on signal. Was looking
at signal card when leaving Twin
Brooks. He whistled signal to
train on side track when in front
of stock chute. Left Twin
Brooks about 1855 and arrived at
sMilbank at 9:16. ~ -
VIM. E. Davis fireman-Whis-
tied to train on side track when
opposite chute-no lookout sig.
nails were given-did not remem-
Der whether bell was rung or not.
Was sitting in window when
starting, but shortly after went
to put in coal.
w Krasinsky-Left Twin
Brooks about 1858 Gave ex-
change whistle after leaving Twin
Brooks.
The jury returned the follow
ing verdict:
State of South Dakota, County of
Grant, IS.
An inquisition holden at Twin
Brooks in Grant County, State of
South Dakota, on the 10Th day day of
July, A. D. 1913, before Chas. Flett
Coroner of said County upon the
body Of Chris Ellerman there lying
dead, by the Jurors whose names are
hereunto subscribed, the said Jurors
upon their oaths do say: That the
cause of death occurred as follows:
Having been accidentally struck by
tender No. $3.50 with engine No. $3.50
running backwards, and that the
supertending crew was, Pat Sullivan,
conductor. John Krum, engineer, and
VIM. Davis, fireman. And that they
were running as second Sixty four
from Twin Brooks to Milbank and
that he was struck by said tender
about 775 feet east OF the depot in the
yards at Twin Brooks, Grant County,
South Dakota, through negligence on
the part of said trains crew to the fol-
lowing extent. Not giving proper
signals by ringing the bell as provid-
ed and customary while starting said
engine, and not keeping proper watch
as TO the track being clear.
In Testimony Whereof, The said
Jurors have hereunto set their hands.
the day and year aforesaid.
ENOCH LINDQUIST
D. E. FIIBERT
G. S. BRECKENRIDGE