PECK, Charles T - Putnam

Although detailed arrangements for the funeral of Charles T. Peck have not been made, the funeral will be held on Wednesday morning. The body will be brought home from Indianapolis at 4:30 this afternoon.

Source: Same – Charley T. Peck, age 51 years, one of Greencastle’s leading attorneys and prominent throughout Indiana as a Republican politician, suffered fatal injuries at near 9:38 o’clock Sunday morning when the automobile which he was driving was struck by the westbound Highlander limited, due in Greencastle at 10:38 at the Seminary & Bloomington street crossing.  Mr. Peck suffered a fractured skull in the collision and lived only until 4:15 o’clock. He died in the Methodist hospital in Indianapolis shortly after an operation in which a large piece of his skull was cut out in hopes of saving his life. Mr. Peck was alone in his car. He had been down town to meet some attorneys and clients in the office of Corwin & Gillen.  After leaving the office he had gone to the Hamilton Book Store to get a Sunday morning paper and then evidently, had started to his farm, south of town.  He was driving south on Bloomington street and following another automobile which was only a short distance in front of him.  Evidently he did not see the approaching traction car as he drove directly in front of it.  The motorman stated that Mr. Peck’s action indicated that he did not see the car until he was right on the tracks.  The traction car hit the automobile squarely at the driver’s seat.  Persons who were near the scene of the accident state that the car was running fast and the impact was terrific. Parts of the automobile were thrown for many feet.  Mr. Peck was thrown from his seat, his badk over the auto door with his feet under the steering wheel.  His body hunt out of the car, his head hitting the road as the traction car dragged the machine along.  Motorman Besse did not get his car stopped until he reached the Curtis Hughes residence about 50 yards west of the crossing.  The impact had torn the cow catcher off on the tract on car and had wrecked the machine.  Charley McWethy who was driving east on Seminary Street and other who were on their way to church rushed to the unfortunate man and assisted the train crew in getting him from the wreckage. He was suffering severe hemorrhages from the ears and nose. Dr. Hawkins and McGaughey arrive soon after the accident and Mr. Peck was carried into the home of Curtis Hughes. The physicians realized his condition was critical and he was taken to Indianapolis on the 11:32 limited and rushed to Methodist Hospital where Dr. Ross operated. The operation required two hours and at first seemed to relieve Mr. Peck.  A large piece of the skull over and behind the left eye was removed. Soon after the operation, however, the end came to Mr. Peck. Those who accompanied him to Indianapolis were his wife, his brother, Will Peck, his law partner, FW Lyon; his sister, Mrs. Edward Bickness and Mr. Bickell and Dr. McGaughey.  Dr. McGaughey stated this morning that the surgeon found only a slight “crack” or fracture over the left eye. The operation performed seemed to give great relief to the bictim but it was feared that there was another fracture at the base of the brain.  Mr. Peck was never conscious after the accident. Persons who saw the accident said Mr. Peck’s head was knocked against the interurban  car.  The automobile was wrecked and carried 100 feet by the interurban car, the pilot of which was torn off. The car was in charge of Motorman EH Besse and Conductor Lawrence Minar, Terre Haute.  Mr. Peck has been prominent in Republican political circles for years. He served as chairman of the Fifth Congressional District for several years and before that was county chairman. He had been a leader in his party in the district and the state.  He served as city attorney of Greencastle for about 20 years. He was associate din the practice of law here with Francis M. Lyon and was one of the leading attorneys of the Putnam County bar.  Mr. Peck is survived by his widow, two brothers, William and Frank and a sister, Mrs. George E. Bicknell, all of Greencastle. In Greencastle and Putnam County there was not a more beloved man than Charles T. eck.  Absolutely honest and fair, he had the confidence of the entire community. Although an active Rrepublican, he never stooped to little things in politics. Among the attorneys Mr. Peck stood as a man who was absolutely fair, impartial and honest in h8is practice.

Source: Same – The Putnam County Bar Association met at 1:30 o’clock Monday afternoon in the court room to appoint a committee to pass resolutions showing their respect for their late member, CT Peck. The members of the committee are: Judge James P. Hughes; John H. James; Francis M. Lyon; Benjamin F. Corwin with Silas A. Hays as chairman. The meeting was then adjourned until 1:30 o’clock Tuesday afternoon when the committee will read the resolutions for the approval of the members of the Bar Association.