Obituary The Rushville Times Rushville, Schuyler County, Illinois Thursday, November 15, 1900 Volume XLV - No. 46 Page 1, column 6 STRUCK BY A TRAIN Robert Aten and Wife Killed. Their Buggy Was Struck By a Passenger Train North of Vermont Thursday Afternoon, They Were Both Killed Instantly. Mr. And Mrs. Robert Aten of Oakland Township {Schuyler County, Illinois}, aged 80 years, were instantly killed at a railroad crossing two miles north of Vermont {Fulton County, Illinois} Tuesday afternoon, while on their way to Table Grove {Schuyler County, Illinois} to visit their son, Henry. They attempted to cross the track in front of the Rushville and Galesberg passenger train, going north and were hurled to instant death. The two bodies were picked up just inside the fence along the "Q" right of way, 100 feet from the crossing. They lay side by side, and neither showed signs of mutilation, tho the bodies of both were badly broken. The engine was running at a rate of 40 miles an hour when the accident happened. Mr. And Mrs. Aten drove onto the track from the fireman's side and were not noticed by the engineer until he was upon them. He sounded the whistle and their horse seemed to stand still from the fright. The buggy was struck between the two wheels, and very vestige of harness stripped from the force, even collar and bridle. The front wheels remained on the crossing, but the top and buggy bed were wedge on the pilot of the engine and remained there until the train was brought to a standstill 300 yards beyond the crossing. The train was in charge of Engineer Potter and Conductor F. A. Shait. From particulars at hand, no blame can be laid upon the trainmen for the accident. At the point where the accident happened, known as the Page crossing, the wagon road runs almost parallel with the track for a distance of a mile and then makes a right angle turn at the crossing. Mr. And Mrs. Aten were driving in a top buggy with all the curtains on; it was a cold day and they were well bundled up, and it is fair to present they did not hear the approach of the train. When the bodies were found Mrs. Aten wore a hood, and a cap, with ear flaps down, worn by her husband, was picked up along the track. The train came to a standstill and ran back to the crossing, a gang of section men who were working near there came up to ( ) the trainees. None of them, however, recognized the bodies. Henry Page, who lives a few rods east of the crossing saw the accident and it was from him that the identity of the persons was learned. He recognized Mr. Aten and supposed the lady was his wife. It was on his suggestion that the bodies were taken to Table Grove, where Henry Aten, son of the deceased, resided. Mr. And Mrs. Aten were on their way o their son's home in Table Grove when they met their death. They had driven up from Oakland Township in the morning and had taken dinner with their daughter, Mrs. Milford Matlows {Matthews – Flora Ann Aten} in Vermont. They left Vermont at 3:45 and were killed at the crossing a half hour later. As soon as the accident happened Mr. Aten's children were notified, and Mrs. Matlows {Flora Ann Aten Matthews} and the three were from Oakland Township drove to Table Grove. The bodies were prepared for burial to that village and were brought to Ray {Oakland Township, Schuyler County, Illinois} on the 12 o'clock train yesterday. A coroner jury held so inquest Tuesday night. The section men and a family living near the crossing were the only witnesses, and they testified the engineer sounded the whistle for the crossing and took all due precaution. The death of this aged couple brought sorrow to the many homes where they were known so well. They were old settlers of Oakland Township, having resided there since 1854. It was in 1851 that Mr. Aten married Mary Jane Allison, ( ) for nearly half a century (near) here, enjoyed the companionship of a happy ( born) life. Both, were ( ) and hearty for their years, and they ( ) a great interest in the welfare of one another and their family of children, of whom there were nine. Both Mr. And Mrs. Aten were members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Aten was a large land owner in Oakland Township and he engaged externally in stock raising. Of late years his sons have leaded big farms, but he never considered himself on the retired list. The sudden death of both father and mother was a real blow to the children, who had parted with them in health and vigor only a short time before. ( ) means that I couldn't read the word from the paper. {clarifications by Sara Hemp} --------------------------------------------------------------------- UGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. --------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sara Hemp