HALSTEAD, Thomas T.
Date of death: 5 Mar 1898 – Franklin, Johnson County, Indiana
The Franklin Republican, Friday, March 11, 1898
INSTANTLY KILLED.
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T. T. HALSTEAD STRUCK BY PENNSYLVANIA ENGINE.
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Was Crossing the Track Just South
of the Station—Failed to Hear
the Engine.
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T. T. Halstead an old and well-known citizen of Franklin, was instantly killed last Saturday morning while crossing the Pennsylvania tracks just south of the station.
Being deaf and his eyesight very poor, he did not hear or notice an engine which was approaching as he stepped upon the tracks. The bell was ringing and a number of persons, who were waiting for the 10:48 passenger, called loudly to the old gentleman but effort to attract his attention failed.
Suddenly however, when almost across the tracks, he seemed suddenly to become aware of the approach of the engine; he glanced up and made a startled movement but at that moment the engine struck him. He was knocked several feet and in falling struck his head violently against a rail. Death was probably almost instantaneous. A crowd soon collected and the body was carried into the waiting room. Dr. Donnell, road surgeon, soon arrived and made an examination. His hip and side were found to be crushed and his skull fractured.
The terrible accident was witnessed by quite a large number of persons but none were close enough to attempt to rescue the old gentleman. The coroners inquest was held Saturday and a number of witnesses examined. The fireman, engineer and conductor who were on the engine, testified that they were running at the rate of about six miles an hour. The engineer, James Weddle, is said to have been a school mate of the deceased. Coroner Jones’ verdict [hole in paper] was the result of an accident.
The funeral of Mr. Halstead was held Monday afternoon at the home of his son E. O. Halstead. The services were conducted by Rev. L. P. Marshall.
The deceased lacked about two months of being eighty-six years of age. He was born in the state of New York. He had resided in Franklin for about thirty years. He was a temperate in all his habits and was highly respected. His wife died about three years ago and since then he had lived with his son E. O. Halstead, the well-known contractor. Besides the latter he leaves two other children, a son living at Colorado Springs and a daughter living in Robinson, Ill.
Submitted by Lois Johnson
The Franklin Democrat, Friday, March 11, 1898,
Volume XXXVIII Number 35, page 3 column 3
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Fatal Accident.
Last Saturday morning about 10:30 o’clock Thomas T. Halstead, one of Franklin’s oldest and best known citizens was instantly killed at the Madison street crossing of the J. M. & I. railroad.
As stated Mr. Halstead was well advanced in years and had lost his hearing and eyesight somewhat. He was going west and stepped upon the track directly in front of a north bound engine, of which Engineer Weddle and Conductor Robinson were in charge. The locomotive pilot struck him on the left side, the engine was going at a good speed and the blow was violent enough to hurl the decrepit old gentleman about a dozen feet, and striking the rails of the switch on the west side of the main track. His head was crushed in and his side was injured. He was picked up and carried into the depot waiting room and a physician hastily summoned, but only lived about 10 minutes. Many persons were on the depot platform waiting the arrival of the 10:48 train and were witnesses of the tragedy but none were sufficiently close to prevent it.
After death the remains were taken to the residence of his son, E. O. Halstead, one square east of the scene of the accident where the deceased had made his home since the death of his wife, some years ago.
Mr. Halstead was born in New York state and would have been 86 years old next May, and had been a resident of this city since 1869. He leaves three children, E. O. Halstead of this city, Thomas Halstead of Colorado Springs, and a daughter residing at Robinson Ill.
The funeral took place from the residence of his son in this city on Monday afternoon, the remains being interred in Greenlawn cemetery.
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The Franklin Democrat, Friday, March 11, 1898,
Volume XXXVIII Number 35, page 3 column 6
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CORONER’S VERDICT
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| STATE OF INDIANA, Johnson County, |
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The undersigned, coroner of Johnson County, Indiana, did on the 5th day of March, 1898, hold an inquest on the body of Thomas T. Halstead, late of said county, found dead at Franklin in said county and state, on the 5th day of March, 1898.
Having viewed the body and heard the testimony of eye witnesses, I find that the deceased came to his death by reason of being struck by a railroad engine on the P. C. C. & St. L. R. R.
From the evidence of eye witnesses and from all circumstances connected with the case, I am of the opinion that the killing was accidental and unavoidable on the part of the men in charge of the engine.
Deceased was 86 years old.
J. T. JONES,
Coroner of Johnson County.
Franklin, Ind., March 8, 1898.
Submitted by Mark McCrady and Cathea Curry