McBee - Robert Franklin
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 22 July 1898
On Friday, July 8, 1898, at 11:56, four minutes from mid day, occurred the tragic and sad death of Robert Franklin McBee at the gravel pit at Silverwood, Ind., on the T. St. L. & K. C. Railroad.
Frank, or “Mac,” as he was commonly called by his intimate friends, was a young man 24 years, seven months and twelve days of age. He was born and reared on his father’s farm, one mile and a half south of Kirkpatrick, and as soon as he was old enough began the duties of farm work which he readily leaned to master. He lived at home with his parents until June, 1897, when he left his home to go to Frankfort to see about his prospect for employment on the C. L. Railroad, having sent in an application a short time before to learn the duties of a locomotive fireman. He found that he had been successful and came home at once to make arrangements for his new work. Having done this he went to Frankfort and started from there to learn the road, and after making several trips was finally “marked up” on the extra list. He made his first pay roll trip on Sunday, July 4, ’97, and from that time he rapidly advanced to the duties of a fireman. His success and ability was so marked that he was soon assigned to a regular engine, No. 70, on the third district of the road with Engineer Frank Conrad. He was with his companion and engine about one year. On the 3d day of July, this year, they took engine No. 70 to Frankfort to have some necessary work done which would require the engine to be in the shops for a few days. While at Frankfort he was called to go out on No. 38, the regular fireman having been taken seriously ill. Frank, ever ready for duty, took the sick fireman’s run from Frankfort to the gravel pit at Silverwood where they were to do the work until called away. They arrived at Silverwood on Tuesday and at Friday noon while discharging their duty, Frank and his engineer, John Fields, met their death by being crushed beneath the engine.
The real cause of the engine leaving the track is not known, but the facts as near as we can learn are as follows: At Silverwood gravel pit the work engine leaves main track to passing track and from that onto the high track where the strip of gravel is. After leaving the passing track switch there is quite a curve going from direct east to the north. After going around curve the incline to the level of strip is very steep, making it necessary to handle a small number of cars up and down the hill. Engine 38 had been taking empty flat cars up and loading them, then returning them to the quarry track. They were just coming down with the last cut of cars before going to Cayuga for dinner when the engine tank jumped the track close to the switch that controls the high track and mine track on the curve. The train and engine ran some little distance that way when the tank wheels caught on a tie, making quite a resistance to weight behind, causing the engine to bulge and rear up where the engine and tank connects. The engineer and fireman seeing their danger rushed to the left gangway and jumped. The pressure and weight of the loaded train behind being great the engine became overbalance and fell to the left just as the men jumped, catching the engineer between the first and second drive wheels and catching the fireman between the cab and one of the rails, killing them instantly. McBee’s head and right arm were severed from his body and he was otherwise bruised and crushed, the engineer being crushed and scalded. The engine did not turn over until they were on straight track. The track at this place has and does receive the best of attention. The rails are of good heavy steel; the ties are practically new and have a good bed of gravel. The occurrence was purely accidental. The crew working at the pit in charge of Conductor Hugh Miller are known to be good first class men (having been at this place a long time) in the discharge of their duties and the careful and cautious manner in handling trains down the steep incline, every brake being used to check the speed and hold the train under control.
Frank’s watch, which was found some few feet away from the wreck, was crushed and had stopped, just the moment the engine struck the men, crushing out their lives. The hands stopped at 11:56.
Frank’s regular engine No. 70 was on the west bound local that day and he had an order to change off with Fireman Callahan, placing Frank on his own engine, but when his engine arrived there about ten minutes later Frank was beyond recall.
It was one of the saddest affairs in the history of accidents and was indeed a most severe blow to his loved ones as well as to his fellow workers. Ever since Frank has been on the road, which was a short time, he has endeared himself to all who knew him and worked with him. He always did his duties to the best of his ability and was a frank, open, truthful and conscientious young man, ever ready to assist and help those in trouble and need and lighten the burdens of the weaker ones.
Frank was a married man of a short time, having married a respected and worthy young lady of Crawfordsville by the name of Miss Georgie Funk. They were married on Easter Sunday last, just thirteen weeks. It is truly a sad blow for his young wife and the deepest sympathy is felt for the young bride in this her darkest sorrow. The body, accompanied by three brother firemen, arrived at Kirkpatrick early Saturday morning and taken to his parents’ home.
The funeral occurred from the family residence at 10:30 Sunday morning, the services being conducted by Rev. Charles Campbell, who took for his text the 23d Psalm, from which he gave a very impressive sermon, which was listened to by nearly twelve hundred people. His remains were then laid to rest just east and north of the family residence.
There were some singular coincidents connected with this sad affair. He made his first trip with the engineer he was killed with on Sunday; was married on Sunday; was killed on his wife’s birthday and buried on Sunday. - thanks so much, "S: for th8is lengthy but sad and interesting obit