Railroad Accidents - Putnam

James Barker of the Monon was in the city yesterday settling with the victims of the late Monon wreck. Mrs. Rosa Evans compromised with the company, receiving $400 and all expenses. Though not generally known, Miss Kate O’Ruark of this city was a passenger on that ill-fated train. She was on her way to a town in northern Indiana and was considerably bruised also losing some clothing. She accepted $200 from the company as settled in full. RH Crouch came over from Brazil at 3:52 p.m. and was in conference with Mr. Barker and Mr. Matson, attorney concerning the damages resulting from the death of CN Cheek.

Source: Greencastle Banner and Times, Putnam County, Indiana 7 January 1892

Source: Same, page 6 – Crawfordsville - Monday afternoon the fast mail train of five coaches between Louisville and Chicago on the Monon was wrecked about two miles north of here.  The accident was caused by the outer rail breaking as the train was rounding a curve. The cars were precipitated down a 60’embankment. The stove in the first coach set fire to the wreck but all in the car escaped with the assistance of some ice cutters nearby. The second coach was completely demolished, not one of those in it escaping without injury of some sort. The parlor car toppled over on top of the wrecked coaches. One coach remained on the track. As near as can be learned the following is a complete list of the killed and inured:

Killed – Ben Hamburg of Walnut Hills, near Cincinnati, drummer for Liebman & Schloss, horribly mangled, head crushed and body cut in twain.

Madame In VanRokey of New York City, member of the City Burlesque company.

Mrs.  Rosa Evans of Greencastle, died at 7 o’clock.

Brakeman FM Gouither of Monon Train 251 which was in a collision with extra No 203 near Bainbridge in which Fireman AL South was killed, returned to Lafayette Thursday. Gouither said, “I did not go to sleep as reported. I heard the second train coming when I left the caboose after Conductor King told me our train was broken in two.  I hastened around a curve and saw a train of Engineer Marquis coming a mile away on a straight track.  I signaled the train, but the crew did not seem to see my signal. When Conductor King accused me of having been the cause of the wreck I left and went to Bainbridge because I did not want to have any trouble with him.  King and I had been having trouble the morning before the wreck happened and I feared if I remained about the scene there would be more disagreements.”