Combs - George Elmer
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 24 November 1899
George Elmer Coombs, of this city, received fatal injuries at Bloomington at 10 o’clock Saturday night, dying from them a few hours later. He was a brakeman on the Monon Road and spent Saturday here with his mother, Mrs. Lew Barnes. In the evening he left on number 73, southbound, and had just reached Bloomington when the accident occurred. He was walking through the yards there and failed to observe the approach of a switch engine, which struck him. One arm was cut off and he received terrible injuries about the head, body, and legs. Medical aid was promptly summoned, but in vain. The body was brought here Sunday and taken to the home of his mother in the Miller flats. The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Christian Church, Dr. Tharp officiating. Interment was at Oak Hill.
The deceased was 27 years of age and was in regards a most excellent young man. He was popular in all circles and especially with the railroad men. He was a member of the Tribe of Ben-Hur, Odd Fellows, the Moose, and of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, in which order he had an insurance policy for $1,200. He was also insured for $1,800 in the Tribe of Ben-Hur.
The following letter from the Bloomington Progress gives an account of the accident:
“G. E. Coombs, a brakeman on the middle division of the Monon, was fatally injured in the Monon yards of South Bloomington Saturday night. The accident occurred about 9:30. Coombs had just come in on his run, second section of 73 and was in the act of crossing a side track on which a south bound freight train was being made up. The switchmen in charge of the work “kicked” a car north on the track, which caught Coombs, who failed to hear its approach. He was struck a terrible blow on the side of the head and knocked several feet in advance of the moving car, which caught him before he could regain his feet. The flange of the wheel ran diagonally across his left shoulder and breast, crushing it in a horrible manner. The left side of his face and head was clevered by the wheel, laying his skull bare. The accident was witnessed by the yardmaster, who hastened to the unfortunate man’s assistance and caused him to be removed to the office of Dr. J. E. Potts, the company’s surgeon. Dr. Potts, assisted by Drs. Hon and Holland, dressed the man’s wounds. He was a horrible sight to behold. The left side of his head, face and jaw seemed to have been torn almost off, and great cuts and bruises were noticed on other parts of his body. His left arm was broken. All the time he was conscious and talked freely, but showed signs of intense suffering. He gave instructions to his friends who were around him as to where he wished to be buried, and how to dispose of his property if he should die.
Mr. Coomb’s home is in Crawfordsville. He has been with the company nearly two years, is 27 years old and single.
His mother was telegraphed for and arrived on the early morning train at 3:45, and was taken immediately to her son’s bedside. The scene that followed was affecting, for the wounded man was aware that death was close at hand, and after giving directions as to his burial, he bid his mother a fond farewell, and at 5 a.m. passed away.
He was considered one of the best railroad men in the company’s service, and was of a sober and industrious disposition. Undertaker R. A. Pauley took charge of the remains and prepared them for burial. They were taken to Crawfordsville on the 11 a.m. train Sunday, accompanied by his mother. He was an Odd Fellow in good standing. -s