Miami Union - Under Laura Items

June 26, 1902 

STOUFFER, JAMES W. - James W. Stouffer was struck by a backing train on the crossing of the county line road over the Big Four tracks west of Laura, Friday, June 20th about 10 a.m.  He was instantly killed and his body horribly mangled.  Mr. Stouffer had driven out to one of his farms a mile west of town to look after some work that was being done.  He stopped and talked with his son, Ed who was plowing corn.  Ed informed him that his tenant, Wesley Flory, wished to see him.  Flory was on the south side of the farm at work.  Mr. Stouffer drove down the county line road, stopped and talked with D. W. Penny, then went on and met his death.  Work train No. 522 had just passed with a load of gravel, when by the approach of No. 60 east bound, it was forced to back to side tract at Laura.  Mr. Stouffer did not note the backing train or his danger until too late.  The trainmen did all they could to prevent the accident but in vain.  The car struck the buggy and horse.  Mr. Stouffer and the buggy were drawn under the cars, he being caught by a brake beam and dragged about 200 feet down the tract.  His left leg was cut off just below the knee; his right ankle, left arm, jaw, neck and nose broken, and the back of his head mashed.  The horse's left hind leg was broken and the poor brute had to be shot.  The buggy was crushed to kindling wood.  Mr. Stouffer's body was brought to the depot by the trainmen, and undertaker Sando took charge of it.  The shock to the community and the esteem in which the deceased was held were shown by the large attendance at the funeral and the many expressions of sorrow heard on every hand.  Services were held at the Christian church in Laura, Sunday, Reverends Pemberton, Waymire and Lambert, officiating.  Friends and relatives to the number of 2000 followed the remains to their last resting place.  Mr. Stouffer was about fifty years of age, an upright, honored citizen, a devoted adherent of the Christian church, and an industrious, ambitious man.  He was widely known throughout the county and was lately a candidate for county commissioner, taking his defeat of a few weeks ago without a murmur as became a good party man.  In his family he was a good husband and a kind and loving father.  The widow and children have the sincere sympathy of the community in their sad bereavement.

                                                                 "Let us so live that we will meet him

                                                                             in that Celestial

                                                                  Home, somewhere beyond the

                                                                             shining blue."

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