South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-10-27
JAMES COOK KILLED
BY PASSENGER TRAIN
Drives Machine Through rs
Foot Freight Train at Byr-
kit AV. Crossing.

James Cook. the 19-year old son Of
Fred Cook OF three miles southeast Of
AIishawaka, was instantly killed
Tuesday morning about o'clock at
the Byrkit av. crossing Of the New
York Central tracks when he was
struck by a fast west bound pasSen-
ger train.
Cook was on his way into the city
TO work and was riding a motorcycle
Due TO the fact that there are no
warning signals Of any description at
this crossing and almost no view Of
the east or west bound main tracks,
is said 20 have been the cause Of
Cook losing his life.
According 10 the police, a freight
train Just previous to the accident
pulled in on a siding just south Of
the main track. Here the train split
for the crossing leaving a % foot
opening. This left practically no
view OF the main tracks to anyone
approaching from the south.
1t was estimated that the passenger
train wSs running at a speed of be-
tween 90 and 90 miles an hour when
IL strucl; Cooks machine as the en-
gineer was unable to stop until he
reached the Merrifield av. crossing
several blocks west OF Byrkit av.
Cooks body was thrown a distance
of % feet while the machine was
scattered in small pieces TO where the
train stopped at Merrideld av. His
body was not cut by the wheels of
the train, but nearly every bone was
broken while the back part Of his
head was partially crushed. It is
said that witnesses of the accident
employed in the plant Of the AmpieX
Co, stated that the engineer of the
passenger train failed TO give any
warning by blowing the whistle Of
the engine. 1t was thought by some
that Cook was aware of the OncOm-
ing train just a moment before riding
onto the tracks as he appeared to
stop his machine. according TO some
OF the factory men.
The only eye witness Of the acct
dent was James Beard, student, re-
siding at 1905 +. Fourth st. Beard
was just entering the cellar Of his
home from the outside when he
CHANGED 10 look toward the crossing
a short distance away and saw the
accident. 1t is said that he was un-
able to say whether the engineer is
sued a warning or not.
Mr.. Cook is we'll known among the
younger generation Of Mishawaka.
He was a graduate of the Mishawaka
high school last year and was en-
plOyed as a clerk in the First National
in many social organizations here.
He was born at the Cook home
stead southeast Of the city and has
resided there all his life. He was
born May p. 1896 and is survived by
his father, Fred G. Cook, one sister
Mrs. Glenn Fulmer Of southeast of the
city and one half-brOther, Robert at
home.
Coroner T. J. Swantz Of South Bend
came 10 Mishawaka shortly after the
accident occurred and examined the
remains. He also investigated and
gave a verdict of accidental death.
The Byrkit av. crossing has been
considered a most dangerous place
for several years and for the past
two years the matter of compelling
the New York Central 10 place a
Waterman or n bell at the crossing
has been discussed by the common
council and the board of public
works Just recently an auto truck
belonging TO the Foster Machine and
Tool Co. If Elkhart was struck and
completely wrecked by an east bound
passenger train. The driver was un-
injured as he had time to jump.