CHEEK, Charles N. - Putnam

The funeral of Charles N. Cheek, the sad particulars of whose death may be found in another column will occur today at 2 o’clock from the family residence on Locust Street. The death of Mr. Cheek has cast a gloom over the entire city. He was a popular young man and had not an enemy in the world, being universally liked. His wife, nine year old daughter and other relatives have the sympathy of a large circle of friends in their sad hour. The remains will be placed in the vault at Forest Hill.

Source: Greencastle Banner and Times 14 Jan 1892 p 1

Charles N. Cheek and Mrs. Rose Evans, both of this place, were Chicago bound passengers on the Monon day train on Monday last. The former is dead and the latter is badly injured. The wreck, in which several people lost their lives, occurred two miles north of Crawfordsville on the high embankment and near the same spot of the disastrous freight collision of several weeks ago.  The train was number six and the time was about 2 p.m. It consisted of five coaches, all except one of which rolled down an embankment 70’ high, striking against trees and stumps in their descent. A worse place for a wreck could hardly be found anywhere on the circuitous Monon road. The disaster was caused by a broken rail. The engineer was not aware of any danger until the baggage car broke away from the tender. The cars all left the track and ran along the ties for 300’ before rolling down the hill. The baggage car was not much smashed and the occupants escaped. The smoker turned over three times in its fall. Stove set it on fire and it was entirely consumed. Some men cutting ice near, hurried to the scene and released and rescued several men imprisoned in the car. It was in the ladies’ coach where the deaths and damage occurred. It was crowded and was literally torn to pieces by the parlor car (Minerva) which followed it. Two persons in the coach were killed outright. The “City Club” Burlesque Company of New York bound from Louisville to Chicago composed of 32 members was on board. One of them, Miss Iva Van Rokey was killed and so many of them injured that the company will disband. The parlor car was partly over the ladies’ coach and was supported by the trucks.  Under these trucks were taken out six men and this is where Charles N. Cheek was found. His leg was crushed and as the men worked he begged them to cut his leg off if he was in danger of burning.  A jack was taken from the engine and he was rescued. Word was sent to this city to his wife and she and ML Darnall drove up to Crawfordsville. Mr. George Cooper took his best teams and hitching it to the coupe left here at 8:40 p.m. reaching Crawfordsville at 12:20 p.m. just three hours and 40 minutes after leaving here. Considering the roads and time of year, Mr. Cooper’s driving was phenomenal. Mrs. Rose Evans was in the ladies coach and was reported dangerously hurt; her should proved to be bruised and one rib was broken. William Durham, of Linden, well known here was slightly injured and Melvin McKee who was on his way from Greencastle to Chicago was hurt in the head and hips.  Charley Cutler, who has passed through many wrecks on the Monon, had his usual good luck and escaped with slight injuries. Two section men were near the place of the broken rail and were not there a few moments later. Their actions are regarded as suspicious.  Altogether there were three killed and 50 injured. This is about the most disastrous wreck the Monon has suffered in point of injury to passengers and the damage suits growing out of it will be enormous. Among those hurt were: Judge Breyfogle and family of New Albany; Eugene Dyer, chief operator of the WU Company at Lafayette (son of George Dyer of Bainbridge); 14 members of the burlesque troupe; CN Cornwell, Bloomington; John Winchester, Louisville; GR Fox, New Albany; John Bills, conductor; Wm. Bishop, Lafayette; J. N. Davidson and Nat Beaty, Crawfordsville; David Maulsbury, Romney and others. The circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Cheek are sad in the extreme.  Eye witnesses state that he was very cool and collected and though suffering great agony, directed the rescuers in their work. He was pinned down by the trucks of the ladies’ coach. The parlor car trucks wer eon top of this car and the weight was enormous. The victim’s leg was caught under this pile and he was held fast. To add to his agony the fire was rapidly gaining ground. Through the efforts of those who were able to work, the flames were extinguished and Mr. Cheek released. He was weak from loss of blood and his leg was mashed until it hung in shreds. He was taken to the Nutt Hotel. Mrs. Cheek and daughter and Mr. LM Darnall arrived at his bedside shortly before midnight and the dying man recognized all of them.  He was very weak, however, and died about 3 o’clock Tuesday morning. Undertaker Black was telegraphed for and drove up to Crawfordsville Tuesday morning. He prepared the remains for shipment to this city and they with the stricken relatives, reached Greencastle about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Mrs. Rose Evans, who was reported fatally injured, proved to be not so badly hurt as first stated. Her face was badly mashed, her shoulder bruised and one rib was broken. She was brought to this city on Tuesday’s train and is now receiving attention at her daughters, Mrs. Grant Dennett rooms in McLean’s block. Drs. Evans and Lammers, the Monon company’s surgeons attended her.

Notes: The leading lady of the burlesque company was killed. Mel McKee was in the smoker and was injured slightly in the back. Mr. Darnall reports the people of Crawfordsville exceptionally kind and everybody worked for the relief of the sufferers. All of Mr. Cheek’s valuables, papers, etc. were found, also his valise. His overcoat was dug out of the ruins on Tuesday morning. Rev. EP Davis of Wheatfield was in the day coach and assisted Mrs. Evans from the car. He was uninjured and had been conducting a series of meetings in Cloverdale and other points in this county.  It never rains on the Monon but it pours. The wrecking train at Crawfordsville was run into by a freight at the depot, the caboose smashed, a barrel of oil overturned, taking fire from the stove, two cars burned with part of the depot. John Bills, the conductor, was raise din this county and is well known to Putnam people. He showed great bravery in the wreck, and though badly injured, helped extinguish the fire. He fainted three times during the ordeal. Charley Cutler came down to Greencastle Monday night, stopping with his mother. He said Tuesday that he had been on the Monon as messenger about nine years, had been in three large wrecks and innumerable little ones, but this beat all. He was quite sore but had no broken bones and went to Louisville Tuesday.

Mr. Cheek leaves his family in comfortable circumstances. He had been making money rapidly in the last few months and told friends only a short time before his death that he expected to do extra well this year. He was a member of the Odd Fellows. Near Olney, Ill, he lately purchased 4,000 acres of timber land where he had located a saw mill.  On Sunday he started on his trip but for some reason abandoned the journey at the last moment, only to meet his death the next day.