The Crittenden press., 1920-02-20
~UNCLE' DAVE
WOODS DEAD
KILLED INSTANTLY BY I. C.
PASSENGER TRAIN
"Unele" Dave Was one Of the
COunty's Best Known Men
Long In Public Life

Long in Public Life
"Uncle" Dave Woods was run
over and killed by the four
and killed" was the news gasped
from person to person on Thurs
day afternoon Of last week.
No signalling device could have
spread the news faster. for "Un-
Gle" Dave was popular-and ev-
erybody's friend.
No one knows of course just
how it came that Uncle" Dave
happened to become confused.
and not get out of the way Of
the oncoming train, but it is as
sumed that he thought he was
on the siding instead of the main
line.
"Uncle" Dave was out for his
customary walk after banking
hours-a habit of many years
standing-had been down to see
the north bound train come in
and strolled back towards town
as for as College, where he met
and chatted with Prof. Christian
for a few minutes. Resuming his
stroll, walking over to Bellville
street, where he turned east and
walked on over 10 the railroad
track. arriving there about the
regular time for the southbound
train to pass.
Several people witnessed the
tragedy and all corroborate the
story of the enginemen that Mr..
Woods evidently thought he was
out of danger until the train was
right upon him and then lost his
presence of mind. for an instant
and that instant proved to be
! too long.
At this crossing the approach
ing south bound trains cannot be
seen until within about 1870 feet
of the crossing. Undoubtedly
the engineer did everything in
his power to stop his train but
could not do so until the pilot
had carried Mr.. Woods So feet i.
Engineer James Santafer Of
Evansville and Fireman Frank
Doss, son Of Jennie Doss Of Ma
rion was the crew in charge OF
the engine. They stated, and
/ witnesses verify the statement
that the whistle was blown for
the crossing at the usual place
and the bell started ringing. On
rounding the bend in the cut the
engineer saw Mr.. Woods on the
track and again blew the whistle
as 4 warning. When he saw
that Mr.. Woods was so confused
that he didn't know which way
to turn he hastily applied his
brakes but it was impossible tc
stop in time.
Mr.. Woods was struck little
below the knee by the pilot anc
his head thrown back against th'
coupler on the front Of the engine
and killed instantly. He wa'
hardly bruised on any other por'
ton of his body, with the ex'
ception of his left arm beinl
broken and a slight cut on hi:
face.
When the engineer succeeded
| in bringing his train to a stoI
the train crew and a number o,
: people who had witnessed thu
tragedy rushed to where th'
body had been thrown and ten
derly picked up the remains ant
placed them in the baggage cal
and carried them to the station
from where they were taken Il
his home opposite the post office
Mr.. Woods was born April 20
] 1889, three miles south of Salem
His father. Henry Woods was
wealthy farmer, owning a mum
ber of slaves.
, The breaking Of his arm whel
only a boy caused Mr.. Wood
to enter business instead of fol
lowing agricultural pursuits
He was employed by his uncle
Jack Woods when only a youn,
man. After working for his un
, Gle for a time he and his brothe
Q Robert went into business 70
g themselves. The partnershi
continued only a comparativcl
: short time, Uncle" Dave buyin
, out the interests Of his brother
, He continued to run the stor
!. until 1874.
e In August 1873 Mr.. Wood
: was elected county clerk. whic
office he held for % years. Upo
his retirement from public Of
e flee he entered the employ Of tn
4 Marion Bank, with whom he n