Train Accident

FATAL AUTO ACCIDENT
Peter Joseph Gallahue of Piper City was instantly killed at the crossing of S. B. I. Route 115 and the Illinois Central track at Roberts Thursday evening October 27, 1938, when his auto collided with a south bound freight train at that place.
Mr. Gallahue was the son of Patrick and Ella (Russell) Gallahue. He was born at Piper City April 18, 1896 and was therefore aged 42 years, six months and nine days at the time of his death. He was a brother of Supervisor Gallahue of Pella Township. His mother was a Roberts girl and the family were well known here. He was a cousin of the Honorable Joseph W. Russell Representative from this district.
Mr. Gallahue was returning to his home from Hoopeston where he had been attending to official duties in connection with the rural electrification of which board he was a member. He stopped a few minutes in Roberts on his way to Hoopeston. On his return trip at exactly 11:15 P.M. he was going north on 115 and two trucks had stopped at the junction of 115 and 48 before coming on to 115. This junction is about fifty feet south of the I. C. crossing. A freight train was south-west bound at this crossing. This is a dark crossing and the train is mostly hidden by embankment so that it is very difficult to see cars crossing the highway. This was probably made more difficult by the fact that the light of the halted truck were between him and the train. The result was that Mr. Gallahue ran directly into the moving cars and as the train was moving southwest and he directly north it was almost a head on collision. Mr. Gallahue who was alone in the car was killed instantly. The car was made a total wreck. The train came into the village and the crew returned to the scene of the accident. The only actual witnesses to the accident were the drivers of the two trucks which were waiting on 48. The first one of these (the one who was at the junction) drove on and his identity is unknown. The driver who was behind immediately began to do what he could to get help. He stopped passing motorists and called for people from the village. In a very short time H. J. Kain, C. W. Kennedy, G. E. Yackee, E. W. Campbell, Dr. J. A. Colteaux and several others were on the scene. They lifted enough of the wreckage from the car to find that he was dead also enough to get to him to identify him.
Undertaker E. H. Houk of Piper City and Coroner Jayne gave permission to remove the body to Piper City where the inquest was held next day. The coroner's verdict was that he came to his death from a broken neck and other injuries caused by automobile colliding with an Illinois Central freight train.
Funeral services were held at Piper City Monday morning, October 31st.

--Robert Herald. 2 November 1938.

Students Killed

THREE ROBERTS SCHOOL BOYS INSTANTLY KILLED

The worst accident that has occurred in this vicinity in many years and one of the worst for all time was one that last Friday at about 12:15 noon took the lives of three students in Roberts school. Death came instantly when the Buick sedan in which they were riding was struck fairly in the center by the Green Diamond north bound at the Green Street crossing in Roberts.
The three whose lives were sacrificed were Ivan Earl Denniston, aged 17 years, and 12 days, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Denniston who lives three miles north and one mile east of Roberts. He was the driver of the car which figured in the accident. He was a student in Roberts High School during the past year.
Martin Henry Brandt son of Martin H. (deceased) and Margie Brandt, aged 11 years, 11 months, and 7 days. He was in the fifth grade of Roberts grade school. The third boy was Richard Eugene Richardson, aged 11 years, 4 months, and 23 days, son of Estil and Wilda (Johnson) Richardson. He also was in the fifth grade of Roberts schools.
The boys were coming east on west Green street when their auto was struck by the Green Diamond north bound. The impact hurled the auto clear from the ground and clear from the train through the air a distance of about 290 feet. There is very little evidence that it touched the ground during that distance. There were a few slight marks in places where light objects scraped the soil but not a mark that showed any scraping by a heavy object or even evidence of rolling. At the end of that distance (about 290 feet) the auto struck a telegraph pole which is fourteen inches in diameter. This broke its speed but the motor came out of the car and crashed the foundation of the building. A wheel and several other parts of the car not so heavy as the motor crashed the wall of the building and broke through in places. They also did considerable damage to seats and contents of the building.
Dr. J. A. Colteaux was called and took charge of the bodies until the arrival of the coroner.

--Roberts Herald. 21 February 1940.

 

Fred A. Roeder Auto Struck

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR FRED ROEDER HELD MONDAY
Retired Roberts Farmer Killed Instantly Friday by Green Diamond

Funeral services for Frederick August Roeder, who was killed instantly at 1:05 Friday afternoon when his automobile was struck by the Illinois Central Green Diamond one mile north east of Melvin, were held Monday afternoon at the home of his son, Harvey Roeder of Roberts, and at the Roberts Methodist church.
Rev. Brooks Barker, pastor of the Methodist church, officiated and burial followed in Lyman cemetery.
Mr. Roeder was the only occupant of the car and was traveling west on a country road, which intersects the railroad tracks at an angle.
It is assumed that Mr. Roeder's vision was obscured by a heavy snow accompanied by high winds.
The train, which was reported to be running behind schedule, was delayed 30 minutes following the accident but was reported undamaged by its conductor, William Tate of Chicago.
An inquest into the death was held Monday evening at the Danforth funeral home in Roberts by County Coroner Henry Hanson. The coroner's jury brought in a verdict of accidental death.
Mr. Roeder was born at Roberts September 27, 1876, a son of John Henry and Mary Plock Roeder. He was married to Dorothy Zahn on June 12, 1901 at Roberts and they resided on farms in the Roberts community until retiring and moving to Paxton one year ago.
The Roeders recently purchased the home of Dr. and Mrs. C. I. Safford on West Orleans street and moved in last Saturday. They had been living at the extreme east edge of Pells street.
Surviving are his widow; a son, Harvey of Roberts; one grandson, Delford of Roberts; two great grandsons; a brother, Daniel of Gilman; two sisters, Mrs. Lena Zahn and Mrs. Mary Tarvin of Roberts.
Mr. Roeder was a member of the Roberts Methodist church.
The lone witness to the accident, the fuel engineer of the Green Diamond, said that Roeder's car stalled on the track but that he didn't think the engine actually was killed until the train whistled as it approached the crossing. The car was carried about 40 yards before being knocked off the track.

--Paxton Record. 20 December 1951.

Burlyn G. Brown

--Newspaper Clipping. 

TRAIN-AUTO ACCIDENT TAKES TWO LIVES
The lives of two men were almost instantaneously taken by an accidental collision of a train and auto at the McLaughlin crossing Sunday evening. These men were Verne Hunt, of Melvin, and Burlyn G. Brown, of Roberts.
The wives of these two men are sisters. Mr. and Mrs. Brown make their home with Mrs. Brown's father, Ernest Tornowski in Roberts and Mr. and Mrs. Hunt and daughter Caroline, had spent the day at this home. As evening came they prepared to go home and the other family decided to accompany them. Mr. Hunt and Mr. Brown went in Mr. Hunt's car and Mr. Tornowski with Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Hunt and Miss Caroline went in Mr. Tornowski's car a short distance behind the other car.
Evidently when the first car came to the McLaughlin crossing where they left the concrete and crossed the R. R. track they did not realize that the train was so near them. However they had crossed the track and were almost clear from it when the train struck the rear of the automobile and swung it around so that it landed beside the fence on the south side of the road headed east. The car was so close to the fence that a board torn from the fence penetrated the top of the car. The car still stood upright with the lights burning and the engine running.
Mr. Brown, who was driving the car was thrown out and landed in the road. He was badly crushed and hurt inwardly but did not show many outward marks. He was alive when picked up and lived for several minutes after he was taken to Dr. Boshell's office. Mr. Hunt, who was riding in the back seat, was thrown out of the car and over the fence on the south side of the road. His skull was crushed in two places and one leg was broken and otherwise badly crushed. He was dead when picked up.
The first persons to arrive on the scene after the accident were Mr. Tornowski and Mrs. Hunt and Mrs. Brown and Caroline. The train stopped and came back to the place. A large number of citizens arrived within a short time and Dr. Boshell was among them. The bodies were gathered up and taken on the train to the depot and then to Dr. Boshell's office. The body of Mr. Hunt was then taken to his home. Mr. Brown died within a very few minutes.
Coroner S. A. Hanson of Elliott was called and empanelled the following jury: W. C. Holmes, D. B. Thompson, H. H. Hackett, G. F. Howk, George D. Ensign and Seward Arnold. The bodies were taken and the jury adjourned until Tuesday afternoon at four o'clock when the train crew gave their evidence.
The train which struck them was due in Roberts at 5:53 and passed through here at about that time though it may have been a little late. It was due in Melvin at 5:58 and it was probably near that time when the accident happened. The train was held in Melvin nearly an hour on account of the accident and pulled into Gibson City at about 6:55.
Verne Hunt was the son of Clyde and Clara (Yackee) Hunt. He was born at Melvin, Illinois, November 9, 1900, and would have been thirty-one years old Monday of this week. He was a first class auto mechanic. He had lived in Melvin all his life except for two years when he worked in the Yackee Garage in Roberts. His funeral was held at the home in Melvin, Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock.
Mr. Brown came to Roberts about two years ago from Wayne City, Illinois. He was 26 years, two months and seven days of age at the time of his death. His funeral was held at the Lutheran Church in Roberts, today, Wednesday, November 11, at two o'clock, Rev. Henry Foelsch, officiating.
The obituaries of both will be published next week.

--Roberts Herald. 11 November 1931.

Edna Brown lived right beside the RR tracks on Green Street kind of behind the lumber yard. She was only married to Burlyn Brown for just over a year when he was killed in 1931. His obituary states that he had no children, but Edna was pregnant when he was killed. Glen Vernon Brown her only son was also killed in an auto accident in 1952 when he was 20 years of age. 
Edna never remarried and had no other children. 
Where is the McLaughlin crossing? 

Philip Kief

DEATH AT THE CROSSING.
AN INSTANT PAINLESS DEATH.
AN AWFUL EVENT.

Mr. Philip Kief and wife of Roberts drove to Melvin Saturday morning to arrange for a car in which to ship their personal property to Iowa, where they expected to move next week. They ate dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Adam Huppert who were farm neighbors years ago. Mr. Kief started down to see Mr. J. A. Schafer; Mr. Kief is quite elderly and quite deaf, and walked as if thinking deeply as he was crossing the track..., he was seen to look up quickly and jump just as he was struck and fell in such manner to be dragged across the street. A large crowd of men, women and children collected instantly. He was carried to Fred Beck's Implement House where the doctor pronounced him dead. The train was immediately brought back to the station, the conductor requested that everything possible be done for the man's comfort. Mr. Kief was taken to the undertakers rooms and prepared for burial.
Coroner Hutchinson, of Clarence, came and impanelled a jury. --Dr. H. N. Bushell, Foreman; R. G. McWilliams, Ed'w. Thompson, N. T. Graves, and Geo. Worthington. But four witnesses were called. They were Jas. McKenon, Mr. Wheeler, Wm. Lackey, Wm. Andrews, and Mr. Y?. Their testimony was quite uniform. Moffett of Paxton was present representing the L. C. The Ill. Central sent an agent here to gather evidence in the case.
VERDICT
We, the Coroner's jury find that the evidence given in the case of Philip Kief, that said Philip Kief came to his death by being struck by the I. C. R. R. passenger train designated the Daylight Special going south about 1:30 p.m. Feb. 22, 1902 at Main St, crossing south of the depot at Melvin, Ill.
We further find that the train was running at a higher rate of speed than that designated in the village ordinance governing the speed of railway trains, but that the proper danger signals were given by the train crew.
The funeral was held in Roberts, Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Zapf of Melvin Lutheran Church preaching the sermon; burial in Roberts Cemetery. The family is large, seven daughters, two married; three sons, one married.

--Melvin Transcript. 28 February 1902.

Gottlieb Hahn Struck by Fast Train

GOTTLIEB HAHN DIES FROM ACCIDENT

Roberts Citizen Struck by Fast Train on Friday.

Roberts, Ill., Nov. 14. --Gottlieb Hahn of this place was struck by the fast north-bound passenger train on the Illinois Central R. R. Friday afternoon at the "south" crossing near his home, and he died as the result of his injuries on Saturday afternoon at 2:15 o'clock.
Mr. Hanh was on his way home from town and crossed the tracks just in front of the engine, but one of the rods hit him and he was thrown with great force against a switch lever at the side of the track. Dr. Colteaux was hurriedly called and it was found that four ribs had been fractured on one side and three on the other. His left elbow was mashed and it is believed that internal injuries had resulted from the blow which he received by the locomotive's coupling rod, which is located on the pilot.
Mrs. Robert Knilands is the only person who witnessed the horrible accident. Mr. Hahn was conscious most of the time after he received the fatal injuries and talked to the members of his family and friends.
His death was sad indeed and he leaves many sorrowing friends who extend sympathy to the bereaved relatives.
Gottleib Hahn.
Gottleib Hahn was born in Altbire, Germany, Sept. 27, 1827, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Amelia Barnett, Nov. 11, 1916, aged 89 years, 1 month and 15 days. His parents passed away when he was very young, he being the last survivor of a family of six children. He made his home with his sisters in the fatherland till the age of 20. In 1847 he came to the United States, locating first in Hennepin, Putnum county, Illinois. In 1850 he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Warner, widow of George Warner. By a former marriage Mrs. Hahn had five children, only two of whom survive, Mrs. Mary Woolsoncroft of Roberts and Mrs. Elizabeth Moore of Hartford, S.D. Unto the deceased and his wife were also born five children, two of whom survive, William and Mrs. Amelia Burnett of Roberts, Ill., three having precede him in death -- two dying in infancy, Anna C., Aug. 31, 1852, and Edward R., April 4, 1865. Conrad passed away Oct. 31, 1916. After his marriage he and his bride moved to a log house near Hennepin, Ill., its dimensions being 14 x 16 feet, where he lived for several years. He was engaged in farming in and around La Salle county, Ill., as a renter for nine years. At the expiration of that period he purchased a farm of 160 acres in Livingston county, on which he lived for thirteen years. He then retired and moved to Roberts, where he spent his declining years. Here his wife died in Jan. 28, 1911. Mr. Hahn was baptized in the Lutheran faith, but on coming to Roberts he united with the Congregational church, where he remained a faithful and consistent member until the time of his death. After the death of his wife he made his home with his children in Roberts. Mr. Hahn had voted with the Republican party since becoming a naturalized American citizen, having cast his vote on Tuesday preceding his death. He leaves to mourn his loss besides the children already mentioned, twenty-six grandchildren, forty-two great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren, besides a host of friends.
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, Nov. 13, 1916, at 2 o'clock at the Congregational church, Rev. W.B. Milne of Clifton officiating, assisted by Rev. D. G. Du Bois of the M.E. church, Interment in Lyman cemetery. W. W. Campbell, Wm. Wakelin, Wm. Seng, H. Netherton, R. B. Chambers and Fred Dodd acted as pall bearers. Those who attended the funeral from a distance were Mrs. Mary Kerchenfaut of Omemee, N.D.; David Warner of Normal, Ill,; Mrs. Elizabeth More and C. C. Ewing of Hartford, S.D., Harry Moore of Pontiac, Ill.; William, Jessie, Clyde and Homer Hahn, Mrs. Frances Hahn and Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Keene of Momence, Ill.; Harold Turney of Gibson City; Dr. G. V. Woolsoncroft of Cissna Park; Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Hahn of Piper City; Richard Hahn of Chatsworth, and Mr. and Mrs. William Scott of Gilman.

--Paxton Record. 16 November 1916.

C. S. Daugherty

--Roberts Herald. 26 April 1939.

Train Car Accident at the Keup Crossing

 

Wales or Vales?  Keup Crossing, the cemetery?

 

--Roberts Herald. 15 December 1937.