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Note: In the Whiteside Sentinel Triweekly, Morrison, IL Friday 13 March 1936
CLAUS SANDWAY KILLED ON CROSSING HERE
Death Occurs Instantly in Rail Tragedy
Elderly Morrison man had lived here for nearly 20 years; inquest this afternoon at Carney Funeral Home.
Claus Sandway, who has lived at the Peter Wiersema home for 13 years, was killed instantly yesterday afternoon shortly before 1 o'clock as he walked in front of a through east bound freight train at the Libby plant crossing on Heaton Street. The aged man had been to the Wiersema store for tobacco and was on his way back home when he was killed.
The victim was probably about in the middle of the track when he was hit by the pilot of the engine. He was carried a little more than 75 feet down the track; and his body, horribly mangled, was dropped off on the north side of the engine.
William Snyder, who lives in the house just north of the crossing at which the fatal accident took place, was one of the persons who saw Mr. Sandway killed. Attracted by the persistent whistling of the train, Mr. Snyder rushed to the window in time to see the tragedy. Some of the employees of the I.C.A. plant also witnessed the accident.
Although the train's whistle was blowing full blast, the elderly man walked straight ahead toward the tracks, Mr. Snyder said. With his face turned slightly out of the wind and snow, he clamped his cap down over his head with his hand just as he stepped into the path of the onrushing freight train. This was the last that Mr. Snyder saw for a moment as the corner of the engine cut off his view. He went at once to the crossing, finding Mr. Sandway's badly torn body lying "100 feet or a little less' down the track beside the train which was stopping as quickly as possible.
The Carney Funeral Home was called, and the ambulance arrived in a few minutes. The left hand and right leg were completely severed from the body. The skull was horribly crushed, and several other bones in the body were broken. There could be no doubt that death occurred instantly; in fact, it is probably that Mr. Sandway never knew what hit him.
The body was removed to the funeral home. Coroner P.M. Frye of Rock Falls was notified. After communicating with train officials, the inquest hour was set for 2:00 this afternoon. Mr. Snyder will be the chief witness.
After eating his noonday meal, Mr. Sandway announced his intentions of going to the Wiersema store for tobacco. Mrs. Peter Wiersema suggested that he order a loaf of bread from the store to be delivered at the house. She made it plain that he was to order the bread to be delivered rather than to try to carry it back with him over the slippery walks and through the snow and wind.
The aged man, desiring to be of what serve he might to Mrs. Wiersema, had disregarded her instructions and was taking the bread back with him; hense the slices of fresh bread were strewn along the track near the scene of the disaster.
Claus Sandway was born in Holland on January 13, 1853. He was united in marriage with Lena Workman before he came to this country more than 50 years ago. To them were born three children, Harry of Rock Island, Dick of Detroit, and Edward who died shortly after the World War. Mr. Sandway farmed near Morrison for a number of years, but moved with his wife to this city about 20 years ago. Mrs. Sandway died 15 years ago. The deceased has lived at the Peter Wiersema home for the past 13 years.
INQUEST IS HELD
Coroner C.M. Frie of Rock Falls conducted an inquest over the body of Claus Sandway this afternoon at 2:00 in the chapel of the Carney Funeral Home. Members of the coroner's jury were as follows: C.F. Wiersema (foreman), J.F. Van Dyke, D.G. George, W.J. Crump, A.R. Richmond and Fred Bierman, all of Morrison. The jury found that Mr. Sandway met his death on March 12 as the results of a train accident, and no blame was attached to any one.
James F. Brown of 197 Elm Ave., Elmhurst, who was the engineer on the extra freight train which killed Mr. Sandway yesterday, told the coroner's jury this afternoon that he saw Mr. Sandway look up at the train and then hurry as though he was attempting to get across the tracks before the train got to the crossing. Wm. Snyder, another witness, did not make a statement to the effect that Mr. Sandway attempted to beat the train to the crossing, but he reported that the aged man did seem to walk more rapidly just as he approached the crossing.
The engineer testified that he was driving his train between 28 and 33 miles per hour as he approached Morrison. He saw Mr. Sandway when the Morrison man was at least 75 feet from the tracks. Because the man did not slow up and wait for the train, the engineer testified that he started using the whistle at once. Mr. Sandway, he said, looked up and apparently saw the train, then commenced to hurry toward the tracks. The engineer said that he was aware that Mr. Sandway was not going to get across when the train was at least 200 feet from the crossing.
Clarence Wiersema was the first witness. He told of Mr. Sandway having been to the store, of the conversation that the deceased man held outside the store with a neighbor, and of his general physical condition. He said that he did not have a cap which covered his ears and that he was only very slightly hard of hearing. His eye sight was good enough to read without glasses, he said. Mr. Sandway was not a feeble man, although a little stooped.
Harry Sandway, son of the deceased man, was the second person to testify. He told the jury that he had seen his father two weeks ago, and that he had received a letter from him yesterday noon. His father was in good health he said.
William Snyder was the third witness. He was an eye witness to the tragedy. Richard Scotty of Chicago, who was the brakeman, testified, telling a story similar to that of the engineer.
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