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Perry Swift Killed Sunday By R.I. Engine
Washington Boy Lives Three Hours After Accident Sunday Morning
Perry Swift, nine years old, son of Mrs. Lloyd DuBois, died at
12:30 yesterday at the Washington county hospital of injuries sustained
about 9:16 that morning, when he was crushed by a Rock Island freight
engine switching near the passenger station.
The body was taken to the L. A. Jones funeral home to be prepared for burial.
Funeral services are to be held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 in the
United Presbyterian church, conducted by Rev. d. Chalmers Fulton. Burial
will be in Woodlawn cemetery.
Stepped in Front of Engine
The accident happened when Perry and his brother, Jack, were at
the station to receive Sunday papers for delivery to Washington
customers. The older brother had one of the paper route and it was the
habit of Perry to assist him frequently on Sunday mornings.
Just how the lad happened to step on the track in the path of the
engine could be stated definitely by those who witnessed the accident,
but he was seen too late for anyone to snatch him from the danger, and
he was unable to get out of the engine's way in time, although it was
evident that he realized the danger before he was struck, but too late.
Switching in Yards
The engine, one of the big 5000 type of freight engine, was
engaged by its crew switching on the tracks south and east of the
station. It was headed east and had just placed a car on the track north
of the freight house. Backing toward the west, the engine was at the
switch joining the freight house track with the passing track south of
the passenger station when the boy was run down.
The wheels of the engine cut off one leg at the hip and the flesh
of the other leg was badly torn and mangled. This leg was caught in the
fring of the switch between two rails under the engine, and it was 15
minutes before he could be reached despite the hurried and heroic
efforts of a group of volunteer workers. The engine could not be moved
either way without crushing the boy still further.
Tear Up One Rail
He was finally released after the bolts had been loosened from
one of the rails between which his leg was caught. There was naturally
some delay in securing the needed tools, and it was a slow process, in
spite of all the efforts of the hard working workers.
Perry was a game little lad, and stood it all with scarcely a
whimper. The on-lookers were so affected by the pitiful sight of the
youngster suffering from frightful injuries while frantic efforts were
being made to release him that many were overcome and unable to help
with the relief efforts.
The L. A. Jones ambulance was sent for immediately after the
accident occurred, and Mr. Jones was one of those who worked hardest to
extricate the boy in the strenuous effort to save his life, if possible.
The Pullman porter on passenger train No. 23, which had just pulled in,
was a big help. E. C. Currie labored zealously and Karl Cooley, a track
workman and a cousin of the injured boy's mother, was one of those who
helped tear up the rail to get him out. A doctor was summoned
immediately and administered drugs to help relieve the pain.
Shock Was Too Great
When Perry was finally released from under the engine, he was
taken to the county hospital, where his injuries were given prompt and
expert treatment, but the shock and the loss of blood were two great for
the lad to overcome, and he died in a little more than two hours after
reaching the hospital.
Perry lived with his step-father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd DuBois,
and his brother Jack at 111 South Avenue C. He was a bright and likeable
youngster, a favorite in his home and at the United Presbyterian Sunday
school, where he was a pupil, and at the Centennial school, where he was
in the third grade.
He was born in Washington April 27, 1921, a son of Pat Swift and
Elsie Richardson Swift.
It was announced this morning that there would b no inquest.
(Washington Journal, Washington, Iowa, Tuesday, September 15, 1931) |
