Breckinridge-Henderson County KyArchives Obituaries.....RIEDEL, Walter E. August 8, 1904 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ky/kyfiles.html ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Peggy Russell meemawpeg7@gmail.com November 2, 2017, 9:40 pm Breckinridge News, Cloverport, Ky., Wednesday, August 10, 1904 DEATH NOTICE Page 1, Columns 3 & 4 WORST WRECK IN HISTORY OF HENDERSON ROUTE -- TRAIN FALLS INTO GREEN RIVER, BRINGING DEATH TO ENGINEER WALTER RIEDEL AND FIREMAN WALLACE LISHEN, OF THIS CITY -- UNKNOWN MAN AND WOMAN KILLED -- Nine cars and the engine of eastbound freight train Number 64, on the Henderson Route, dashed through the drawbridge at Spottsville (Henderson County) into Green River about 8:45 p.m. Monday, August 8, 1904, causing the death of Engineer Walter E. RIEDEL, and Fireman William Wallace LISHEN, both of this city (Cloverport), and a number of unknown persons who were stealing a ride on the train. D. C. BENTON of Louisville, Ky (Jefferson County), the Conductor and William NEWTON and Orchard PULLMAN, the Breakmen, ran to the rear of the train and escaped injury. The wreck was by far the worst in the history of the Henderson Route. The section of the bridge which moves on a pivot, had just been swung around to allow the steamer "Crescent City" to pass through. Before the boat reached the bridge, the pilot heard the train rushing onto it, and slowed up. The train fell through the bridge just in front of the boat, which turned its searchlight on the wreck to look for any victims that might be above the water. The body of RIEDEL was recovered from the bottom of the Green River Tuesday morning, and taken to Henderson, and prepared for burial before it was brought to this city. He had wounds on his head sufficient to cause death, even if he had escaped drowning. Another body was recovered and taken to Henderson with that of RIEDEL. It was reported to be that of LISHEN, but it was afterwards discovered that the body was that of an unknown woman. Later in the day, the body of an unknown man was found near the spot from which the woman's body had been recovered. The woman was dressed in a man's clothing, and her hair was found in the unknown man's pocket. The woman was identified as a high driver, and the man as an umbrella mender. Both had been seen at Henderson. Their names were not learned. There are a number of theories as to the cause of the wreck. According to a prominent official of the Henderson Route, it can be and will be proven that the wreck was caused by the Engineer failing to stop the train before crossing the drawbridge. The rules are that: "All trains must stop before crossing the drawbridge over the Green River at Spottsville, and must not proceed until signals are changed by the Watchman." It is claimed that the train did not stop at all at the bridge, and that the red light was left showing and not changed from red to white, which would have meant that all was right. Just why the Engineer failed to stop his train, will probably never be known. The theory is advanced by many that the air brakes refused to work in time to stop the train, before it went through the open spaw. Mr. RIEDEL'S body was brought to this city yesterday evening, and taken to the Pate House. This afternoon his funeral will be held from the Presbyterian Church. The Reverend S. O. CHRISTIAN will conduct the service, assisted by the Reverend P. L. KING. The interment will be at the city cemetery, where the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen will hold services over the body. Page 1, Columns 5 & 6 (same issue, August 10, 1904) SKETCH OF BOYS' LIVES -- Both the Engineer and the Fireman were popular and well-known young men of this city (Cloverport). They had many friends here, and among the railroad men of Louisville, Ky (Jefferson County), who were greatly shocked by the news of their death in the wreck at Green River. Walter E. RIEDEL, the elder of the two, was 31 years old. He had been employed by the Henderson Route for about 6 years, serving during the past year in the capacity of Engineer. Before he began railroading, Mr. RIEDEL was engaged in the bakery business in this city, with his sister, Miss Rosa RIEDEL. He was unmarried, and had been boarding at the Pate House in this city for several years. Mr. RIEDEL is survived by: his mother, Mrs. Barbara RIEDEL of Holt, Ky (Breckinridge County) five brothers: Charles RIEDEL of Holt, Ky Ed RIEDEL of St. Louis, Missouri Herbert RIEDEL of Los Angeles, California (Los Angeles County) Fred RIEDEL of Evansville, Indiana (Vanderburgh County) Gus RIEDEL of Holt, Ky three sisters: Rosa RIEDEL of Henderson, Ky (Henderson County) Emma RIEDEL of San Francisco, California (San Francisco County) Frieda RIEDEL of San Francisco, California Mr. RIEDEL was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. A genial nature, a kind heart, and an honest way of living, made a large circle of friends, for this young man whose admiration and friendship for him were only exceeded by their grief at his death. William Wallace LISHEN was one of Cloverport's most industrious and best liked young men and his death came as a great shock, especially to his widowed mother, Mrs. Frances LISHEN and his only brother, Carl LISHEN. He had been employed by the company for about three years. The greater part of this time he was a valuable employee in the wood-working department at the Company's Shops in this city. The first part of this year, he began firing for the road. Steady, industrious habits won the friendship and confidence of his employers and fellow workmen. Mr. LISHEN was a member of both the K. of P. and the A.O.U.W. Lodge of this city. He was also a member of the Baptist Church. He was an active and popular worker in these circles making many friends among his co-workers. His education was received in the Common and High School of this city, and at college. In his school life, he was liked and admired for his exemplary habits. Additional Comments: Breckinridge County Cemetery Book, Volume 1, published in 1991: Cloverport Cemetery, Cloverport, Ky RIEDEL, Walter E. 20 June 1874 -- 08 Aug 1904 HIS MOTHER ALSO HERE: RIEDEL, Barbara Catherine GRIEGER 1843 -- 1936 HIS THREE SISTERS ALSO HERE: RIEDEL, Rosa S. 22 Dec 1865 -- 10 Sep 1947 RIEDEL, Emma S. __-___ 1878 -- 30 Dec 1955 RIEDEL, Elfrieda M. 20 June 1912 -- 28 Jul 1970 (see her obituary elsewhere) HIS FOUR BROTHERS ALSO HERE: RIEDEL, Charles Henry 18 Oct 1868 -- 20 Feb 1946 RIEDEL, Edward 23 Jun 1870 -- 17 Nov 1955 RIEDEL, Herbert __-___-____ -- __-___-1937 RIEDEL, Fred A. 21 Feb 1882 -- 25 Jan 1955 Looks like the mother and all her children except for son, Gus RIEDEL, are buried here. Peggy Russell File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ky/breckinridge/obits/r/riedel7307gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/kyfiles/