Lowe - Michael - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Source: Weekly Argus News, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana May 3, 1890 p 8

A rumor reached the city about 9 o'clock this morning that one Weikle, of near Yountsville, had been run over and killed at the crossing of the Yountsville Pike and the OL&W. This is the crossing where a few years ago the Alamo hack driver was run down and killed, his hack smashed to kindling and several people who were in it killed. Anxious groups of men stood on the corner discussing the situation and making inquiry of every one who was supposed to have come over th epike and might know of the accident. In the meantime the Alamo hack man came in and returned to the scene of the wreck accompanied by Deputy Coroner Coppage and several other gentleman. The crossing is well remembered by all who have ever had occasion to pass it. It is difficult to see the trains and at some points impossible. The noise made by vehicles prevents some trains from being heard and for these two reasons the place is very dangerous to cross. The hills of dirt along the track should be removed: they should have been taken away long ago. But railroads are greater than the people and do as they please. It is only another instance of monopolistic rule and the absolute helplessness of the people as legislation is now. When our reporter got this far he learned the real facts about the case. Instead of Wekle it was Michael Lowe who was killed. He lives in Wayne Township. He was run over by an OI &W Now Big 4 Passenger train. He was on his way here and was caught at what is called Boarker's Crossing, a mile west of Sugar Creek A place much like the one described above. It is a deep cut and it is impossible to see the train until one gets right on the track. Sever neighbors, a dozen perhaps, were also o n their way to town and were near the crossing at the time of the accident. Train stopped and backed up and Mr. Lowe was found lying under his buggy at the side of the track. He was badly mangled and was dead before anyone reached him. The body was placed on an improvised stretcher and covered until the arrival of the coroner. Mr. Lowe was in the buggy alone and death must have been instantenous. The pony which he was driving wa snot killed but got loose from the buggy and was caught some distance from the scene of the accident. Mr. Lowe was a farmer and was in good circumstances. He was about 70 years old and leaves a wife and several children, all of them grown.-- transcribed by kbz

The east bound passenger on the Big Four was a few minutes late this morning and when it pulled in a few observant loafers discovered that the engine was smeared with butter and eggs and one or two of its cross bars were broken. The conductor of the train quietly told Agent Robinson that a man had been killed the other side of Troutman’s and to send out the Coroner. Acting Coroner Coppage was called and accompanied by a Journal hieroglyphic maker and went to the scene of the death on a hand car. It was the first crossing beyond Sugar Creek on the old Vermilion dirt road which leaves the Waynetown pike at the toll gate and is known as the Shanklin crossing. The particulars were learned as follows: Michael Lowe was driving to town with about 25 pounds of butter and some eggs. He did not notice the train until within about 20 feet of the track and then, it is supposed, he thought he had better get across so as not to have trouble with the horse which was a strange one to him, belonging as also the buggy to Si Fink. His attempt was a fatal one. The horse crossed in safety only to have the engine strike the buggy between the wheels. The shafts broke off short and the horse escaped. Mr. Lowe and the buggy were carried and thrown at least 100 feet from the crossing. The buggy was completely demolished. The body of the victim was horribly mangled. The left leg and left arm were broken. The neck was broken and the skull was fractured, there being a wide gap on the left side of the head from the forehead back to the ear. Flesh wounds were numerous on the face and hands, but it was easy to recognize the old man. Death must have been instantaneous. The accident was unavoidable. In the first place it is an exceedingly dangerous crossing. Both the railroad and road have sharp curves and a high hill shuts off the line of sight between. As was the custom, the engineer whistled for the crossing and slowed. As soon as he saw Mr. Lowe he whistled again, several times in succession and put on the air brakes, but it was too late. It is said that Mr. Lowe was rather deaf, which is probably the reason he did not hear the first whistle. When he saw that the man was killed, the engineer immediately backed up, learned who the man was and George Markley, Master Mechanic, was left in charge of the body until the arrival of the Coroner. None but the engineer and possibly the fireman saw the accident, but a crowd of friends and neighbors soon gathered around and after the Coroner’s examination, the body was carried to the house of Daniel Boraker near by. The testimony of William H. Hurley was taken right there, that of George Markley this afternoon, and the engineer and fireman will testify tomorrow. Michael Lowe was a farmer 70 years old and lived about one mile west of the railroad on the George Munns’ farm. He had been a resident of the county for over fifty years and was widely known and respected. He leaves an aged wife and four children. Mrs. Commodore Fink, of Yountsville, Mrs. Geo. Boraker, Sant Lowe, of Waynetown, and Mrs. Ball, of Bemont, Ill

Source: same as above

The funeral of Michael Lowe will occur at Wesley Chapel tomorrow at 10 o’clock and will be conducted by Rev. E. R. Johnson. Mr. Lowe was 72 years old.