Rector - Hezekiah
Source: Crawfordsville Journal & Review, Saturday, Oct 3, 1931
Crushed under a freight train on which he was riding to Linden where he expected to find work, Kiah H. RECTOR, 47, Monon Street father of 11 children, nine of whom lived at home, was instantly killed at the Nicholson Crossing two and a quarter miles north of the city, supposedly early Friday night. Rector's body was not discovered until 5:55 o'clock Saturday morning when the crew of another northbound Monon freight train discovered the remains lying along the track.
Identification of the body was made by the widow, Mrs Minnie Rector, several hours after the body had been taken to the Utterback & Murphy Funeral Home. Mrs. Rector was overcome by grief when she first saw her husband's body. Rector, according to his wife had been working for William E. LAYNE, local contractor and had arrived home shortly after 6 o'clock Friday night. He told his wife that he was going to Linden to see a man there about some work. Due to the fact that he had no other means of transportation he decided to ride a freight train to Linden. He left home shortly after 7 according to members of the family. Children of the dead man were probably the last persons to see him alive. As the freight train on which he was riding passed the home on Monon street, several of the youngsters saw their father perched on the train and waved what proved to be their final farewell to him. No more was seen of him until his mangled body was discovered by members of the crew of another train Saturday morning. The first to see the body was LR Foley, conductor of the train and JB Rector, flagman, both of Lafayette. Other members of the train crew were Noah Fisher, engineer; Floyd David, head brakeman and HG Shaw, fireman all of Lafayette. Foley & Rector were riding on the caboose when they saw the body. They signaled to Fisher who brought the train to a halt about a half mile north of the crossing. Seeing that Rector was dead and that rigor mortis had already set in, the members of the train crew called the police station, telling them of the tragedy.
Capt. Charles Curtain and officer Francis Sheldon of the local police force, accompanied by Dr. AL Loop, county coroner went to the scene at once and ordered the body brought to the Utterback & Murphy Funeral Home here. The officers did not recognize Rector and at first it was believed he was a tramp who had been beating his way across country on the train. First intimation that the dead man might be a local resident came about 11:30 a.m. when Mrs. Rector called the police station asking details of the accident. She said that her husband was missing and, having heard of the accident thought it was possible that the victim might be her husband. She was taken to the funeral home where she immediately identified Rector.
Upon viewing the remains of her husband, Mrs. Rector broke down almost completely. She told of hardships that have been worked on the family during the present depression. She told of her husband coming home from work Friday night. He was very tired from his day's labor but insisted on going to Linden to see about obtaining work there. It is believed that Rector was jostled off the train when it jerked suddenly and that he fell between the cars. His left foot caught between the rail and the boards of the crossing so that the foot was severed. he body was found only about 15 feet north of the crossing lying between the main track and siding. It was found that his skull was fractured and neck broken. The accident victim is survived by the widow; 11 children, one of them by a former marriage and two step children. The youngest ofthe children is Lottie who will not be two until Nov 27. The other children and ages are: Mary Lucille, 4; Clifford; 6; HK 7; Ellen 9; Dorothy Louise 11; Ollie May 13; Inez M 16; Elmer 18; and Mrs. Elsie Sue Bannister. Mrs. Minnie Scott is the child by the former marriage. The step children are Clarence Weaver and Maggie Weaver. The family had lived in Crawfordsville for about 14 years, having come here from Kentucky. Mr. Rector was known as a steady, conscientious workman.
William E. Layne, local contractor for whom Rector had been working part time during the summer, said that Rector was one of the best employees he had. He was shocked to hear of the man's untimely death. Other survivors of Rector include two sisters, Mrs. Wesley KIDD; Chestnut St, and Mrs. George DURHAM, Wallace Avenue, and two brothers, John H. Rector, Kentucky and Robert Rector, Ohio. kbz