EKER, Charles - Putnam

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EKER, Charles

Source: Valparaiso Vidette-Messenger of Porter County 13 June 1936 p 2

Greencastle, June 13 – Charles Eker, Lafayette engineer, died in Putnam County Hospital early today from scalds suffered when the locomotive and 19 cars of a northbound Monon freight train left the track at the Putnamville station. Six others were injured, including: Nathaniel S. Goforth, Lafayette, conductor, head and arm injuries; Lawrence A. Gray, Louisville, Ky, fireman, scalds; Clelland Ash, 16, Greencastle, William Ash, 19, Greencastle; Eugene Thomas, 16, Greencastle, mangled leg. Amos Skimmerhorn, 19, Greencastle, suffered cuts and bruises but was not taken to the hospital.  Railroad officials said a pony truck of the engine was derailed a mile south of the spot where the accident occurred and that the cars were derailed when the pony truck hit a switch.  The Ash boys, Thomas and Skimmerhorn were riding on a car loaded with stone about 5 cars behind the engine. Thomas was caught under a block of stone and  difficulty was experienced in extracting him.  - kbz
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