The Carthage Republican
Carthage, Illinois
Wednesday
August 20, 1913
Page 5
Column 4KILLED BY THE TRAIN.
Allen ("Bud") Porter Killed on the
Tracks Between Hamilton and
Elvaston, Friday Evening.Allen Porter, commonly called "Bud" Porter, formerly a member of the Wabash section crew at this place, was killed on the tracks two miles east of Hamilton Friday night.
While the real story of the man's death will always be shrouded in mystery, the evidence in the case is as follows:
Porter had been in Keokuk and Friday evening, he attempted to board the Wabash passenger at Keokuk for Carthage, but was prevented by the conductor, because of Porter's irresponsible condition. In the pocket of Porter's clothing was found an interurban transfer from Keokuk up to the town of Hamilton. So he evidently crossed the bridge on the trolly. The engineer of a T. P. & W. freight stated that as his train was within a mile of Hamilton, about 7 o'clock Friday evening, he saw a man walking unsteadily up the track, but he left the track for the train to pass. As the man answered the description of Porter, it was evident he had started to walk home. It is further evident that about a mile further, he fell asleep on the track. Every evidence showed he was struck by a west bound train. The west bound Wabash passenger left Elvaston at 9:07 and Porter's watch was stopped at 9:15, giving eight minutes for the train to travel the four miles where the remains were found.
The remains were noticed next morning by a freight crew on the T. P. & W. This crew left word for the section men at Elvaston that something had been killed on the track, either a man or an animal, and Thos. Garvey and his crew went to the scene of the accident. They found the body of the man strewn along the track for 300 feet, dismembered and already in a state of decomposition. The local Wabash freight brought the remains to Elvaston and the coroner was notified.
Coroner Barr was called to Elvaston and after viewing the remains and taking testimony, issued orders to Undertaker Hearne, to bury the body. It was placed in a casket, the Elvaston authorities gave a place in the Elvaston cemetery for the interment, and the remains were duly interred, decently and in order. Rev. Roy Enslow conducted the services at the grave.
Immediately upon Mr. Hearne's return to Carthage, he learned that Mr. Porter's family had identified the watch, hat and shoes of the deceased, which had been brought to Carthage by Dr. Barr, immediately after the inquest. The family instructed Mr. Hearne to remove the body from Elvaston to the family lot at Oak Grove cemetery. Mr. Hearne telephoned the authorities at Elvaston and they had the grave opened and the casket ready for Mr. Hearne when he reached there late that night. The body was brought to the undertaking rooms here and held until Monday morning, when accompanied by the family, it was conveyed to Oak Grove cemetery where the interment service was read by Dr. M. L. O'Harra.
Deceased was the oldest son of John and Mary Porter and was born at Oak Grove. He was twice married, first to Lena Lane, to which union were born three children, Florence, Marion and Clarence. His wife dying, he was later married to Minnie Hasky, who with five children, Hazel (Mrs. Sherman Smith), Bertha, Chellis, Bulah and Eva survive. He is also survived by his brothers, Elmer, John, and Stanley, and sister, Mrs. Cox.
He was a member of the Christian church, which he joined a number of years ago. He was also a member of the Woodman lodge in which order he carried $1000 insurance. He was a quiet industrious man and his family have the sympathy of all in this shocking bereavement that has befallen them.
