Tippecanoe City Herald

January 13, 1870

DYE, CLINE - Death of Cline Dye - Cline Dye, the man who was run over by a wagon during the sham battle on New Years day, died on Thursday night last. No one supposed his injuries were of a serious character until a short time before his death, but from the nature of the casualty his recovery would have seemed almost miraculous. We have no desire to speak of this matter in a manner that may seem harsh to the family and friends of the deceased, but justice to the living requires us to make a statement of what we believe to be facts. A dozen or more reliable persons who saw the occurrence will agree on the statements made to us, which are to the effect that if any person is directly to blame for the occurrence it is the injured man himself. According to the programme arranged, Mr. Carles was driving rapidly down Main Street and intending to turn into Second Street on the north side of the fort, he gave warning in time for everybody to get out of the way. Mr. Dye could more easily have stepped aside than many others who were there, but he rushed out and grasped the bridle of the mule hitched to the wagon. One end of the shaft ran up his coat sleeve tearing it off at the shoulder, and whirling him under the mule and wagon. Mr. Carles stopped the animal as quickly as possible, and, with others, hastened to render any assistance that might be required. When picked up Mr. Dye was insensible but soon revived. No bones were found to be broken, and the physicians in attendance concluded that he was only severely stunned, and although somewhat bruised, it was expected that he would soon recover. But unfortunately the injuries were more serious than at first apprehended, and the man died as above stated. There is no one who does not regret the occurrence, but to say that Mr. Carles, or any one else connected with the street exhibition, is to blame, or showed heartless indifference, is preposterous and untruthful. The unfortunate man, like hundreds of others, was where he had no occasion to be at the time, and met the fate which might easily befall any person under similar circumstances. If the sad occurrence will serve as a warning to careless persons generally, it will not be without its lesson. We are informed that the widow is not left in embarrassing pecuniary circumstances, and therefore needs only sympathy and kind condolence, which we know she has.

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