Killed on the Railroad

Our people were very much shocked on Thursday to learn of the sadden death of Mr. Warner WRIGHT of this city. He was riding into Madison, Wis., on a freight train, when the car was thrown from the track by a broken rail. The conductor jumped, and called upon Mr. WRIGHT to follow him. He obeyed, but fell under the car, and was dragged under and with it several rods. His friends in Aurora and Chicago were immediately of his sad death-and one his employers, Mr. Harmon, of Chicago, went immediately for the body, while the family made preparations for the funeral.

Warner E. WRIGHT was born at Granville, Washington Co., N.Y., in 1837. About seven years ago he came to Aurora, with the other members of his fathers family, and was for three years engaged in the grocery business with Robert PIERPONT. Selling out here, he engaged with the wholesale grocery house of Harmon, Messer & Co., of Chicago, and had been traveling for them about two and half years at the time of his death.

Mr. WRIGHT has been married about eight years, and leaves a son about seven years of age and a well loved, devoted wife to mourn his loss.

No Man was more thoroughly respected in business circles whose sudden death we write. He was honorable in every action, and dealer and customer always spoke him highest praise. In social circles he was above reproach, and for six years he lived a consistent Christian life as a member of the Union Baptist Church of this city.

The funeral will take place tomorrow from the Union Baptist Church at 10:30 o'clock-the remains to be laid in Spring Lake Cemetery.

P S. We since learn that the train was moving slowly, Mr. WRIGHT stood with the conductor at the top of the caboose as the trucks left the track. As the car lurched the conductor jumped and cleared. but he does not know that WRIGHT did so. The car quickly righted itself and followed the track. Mr. WRIGHT was probably thrown to the ground, and struck by the steps of the car, as the only visibly injury was a contusion on his back.

This was taken from the Beacon News, Aurora, Kane Co., Illinois on January 31, 1874.


Contributed by: J. Holmes on 9 Feb 2000

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