SHOAF, Jennie Inlow
Source: Kingman Star Friday, May 20,1910 Edition
Mrs, Jennie Shoaf, wife of Dr. Shoaf, of Veedersburg, was struck and almost instantly killed by a west bound Big Four train at Hillsboro about 7 o'clock Tuesday evening. Mrs. Shoaf in company with a number of other ladies had gone to Hillsboro on the afternoon train to assist in the restoration of the charter of the Hillsboro Eastern Star Lodge. The lodge work had been completed and the ladies were on their way to the depot when the horrible accident took place. All the other ladies succeeded in getting across the track but her and it seems that she had ample time to cross, but when in the center of the track her nerves seem to have given away and was unable to move. The train, a fast freight, was going at a high speed and when it struck her the body was hurled through the air to the other end of the platform. She died almost instantly. Their train was due in a few minutes and the women were going to the depot to come home when a death that caused the entire south half of Fountain county to be bowed in grief occurred. Passengers who were waiting at the depot warned the women of the approaching train but in spite of all this, they did not take heed, or did not realize how close the train was upon them. It is said that this is a very bad crossing as the trains often leave a cut of empties on both sides of the crossing, making it impossible to see a train from either way until you are in the center of the track. Dr. Shoaf hurried to Hillsboro in his auto upon receipt of the distressing news and had the body removed to Veedersburg at once. Mrs. Shoaf had lived in Veedersburg for several years and had many warm friends there. She was about 55 years old and leaves a husband, an only daughter, Mrs. Fred Purnel, of Attica, an aged mother, Mrs. Sina Inlow, and two brothers, J. Mark and Ora Inlow of this place.
Source: Indianapolis News Wed 18 May 1910 p 11
Veedersburg, Ind May 18 – Mrs. Jennie Shoaf, age 55, wife of Dr. Frank A. Shoaf, a prominent physician of this city, was killed by a Big Four freight train at Hillsboro shortly after 7 o’clock last night while the train was running at a rate of 35 miles an hour through town. Mrs. Shoaf, with several women of Veedersburg went to Hillsboro last evening to install a chapter of the Eastern Star, but for some reason the exercises were postponed and the part returned to the station to await the west bound train. Several of the women had crossed the railroad track and in an attempt to join them Mrs. Shoaf was struck. The body was thrown 40’ and the woman lived only a few minutes. Dr. Shoaf hurried to Hillsboro in his automobile and had the body of his wife brought to their home, here. Besides the husband, one daughter, Mrs. Fred S. Purnell of Attica survives. Mrs. Shoaf was prominent in social circles and the Eastern Star lodge here. She was an aunt of Miss Ura Shoaf who two years ago received the prize for being the handsomest young woman in Indiana.
Source: The Indianapolis Star, Thursday 19 May 1910 p 20
Veedersburg, Ind., May 18 - The funeral service for Mrs. F. A. Shoaf, who was struck by a through freight train at Hillsboro, Ind., yesterday evening, will be held on Friday morning at 10 o'clock. Mrs. Shoaf was a society leader in Veedersburg, and prominent in church work and club work. Her splendid contralto voice made her a leader in musical circles also. She was president of the C.W.B.M. Auxiliary, president-elect of the Fortnightly Club, president-elect of the American Woman's League at this place, and secretary of the local Eastern Star Chapter, of which she was an enthusiastic member. The Order of the Eastern Star will have charge of the funeral services. Mrs. Shoaf is survived by her husband, Dr. F. A. Shoaf, and a daughter, Mrs. F. S. Purnell of Attica, Ind. --- thanks, Ginny A