Rush - Milton
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Argus 13 March 1883
One of the most sickening accidents ever recorded occurred yesterday afternoon shortly after 3 o'clock at the crossing of the IB&W RR with the Yountsville gravel road. The Alamo hack drive by Joseph Green containing Mrs. Elizabeth Clark an Milton P. Rush all of the little village of Alamo were enroute home after having spent the day in this city and when about to cross the track were struck by a passenger train running perhaps not less than 30 miles per hour. As soon as possible the train was brought to a stop and the most sickening sight presented itself so the train men and passengers, the first to attract the eye was all that was left of Mrs. Clark then the body of Rush around both laid fragments of wheels and other parts of the ill-fated hack, farther east on the track and on the north side were the splintered bed and top of the vehicle under which were the remains of Green while just at the crossing laid the dead horses. From the crossing for more than a 100' west were fragments of the wreck strewn along the track. The conductor, Jas. Braley with the assistance of other train men and passengers lifted the bodies of the unfortunate to the train when they were taken to Waynetown. Rush and Mrs. Clark showed some signs of life until after arriving there but soon expired. Green was most likely killed instantly. At Waynetown, the remains were placed in the depot and the sad news telegraphed to this city. The driver of the hack, known as Joe Green was a man of more than ordinary physique, not remarkably bright, a daring fellow but good natured. His home was at Alamo, more than likely his carelessness was the cause of the accident. It was rumored that he was drunk or had been drinking but this rumor is contradicted by those who saw him as he left town. His head was crushed, the left forearm broken and left thigh smashed besides internal injuries. Mrs. Elizabeth Clark, who resided near Alamo was the mother of Mrs. N.J. Clodfelter of this city and had spent the day with her daughter, brining with her a little child of Mrs. Clodfelter's who had been paying her granddaughter a visit. Besides being internally injured Mrs. Clark's head was badly crushed not however about the face. Milton P. Rush, one of the victims, was well known all over Montgomery County. For about a year he had been running a tile factory near Alamo. He was 49 years of age and was married. A wife and two sons survive him. His injuries were internal wounds and his left side crushed. On both sides of the track where the horrible accident happened, are sign boards, 'Railroad Crossing' and usually trains approaching sound an alarm and it was so with t he train yesterday. Several persons heard 3 or 4 shrill whistles from the engine but no one save the engineer and fireman could swear positively that such was for this crossing. The track is on an inclined plain from half a mile east of the crossing where the accident happened, to the Sugar Creek bridge and the west bound trains always run at great speed. As the crossing is in a cut, it is a difficult matter to see an approaching train and unless one stops to listen would be none the wiser if no whistle was given. More than likely the horses had just stepped over the track, and the engine struck the vehicle about the enter as the hind feet of the horses were ground off, besides being badly mangled about the hips, the wagon was ground off, besides being badly mangled about the hips, the wagon was ground into splinters, showing that it must have been struck about midway between the wheels. James F. Higgins, of Alamo, came to the city in the morning in the hack and was in the vehicle again to return home when some acquaintances insisted on his staying for the show last night. He got out, but afterward thinking he must go, ran to catch the hack but it had just left. Had he caught it, another would have been added to the list of the dead. -- kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Argus 13 March 1883 Coroner Ensminger was holding an inquest today over the bodies of those killed in the accident yesterday. - kbz