This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: KarinKing45 Surnames: Spade, Straub Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties.adams/4326/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Decatur Daily Democrat Adams County, Indiana Monday, May 27, 1918 GROUND TO DEATH Ralph Rollo Spade Lives But Short Time After Being STRUCK BY TRAIN Early Sunday Morning on Grand Rapids & Indiana - Well Known Man. Ralph Rollo Spade, 44, unmarried, well known harness maker employed at the Tanvas shop, died about 5:00 o'clock Sunday morning from injuries received about 3:40 o'clock when he was undoubtedly struck, dragged and ground under the wheels of northbound extra freight, number 101, on the G. R. & I. railroad. The train passed through here about 3:40 o'clock but Spade was not found until about 4:15 when Earl Straub, night operator in walking out of the depot, heard groans, and investigating found his badly mangled and unconscious body lying at the west side of the track a few rods south of the depot. The officers were called and Coroner D. D. Clark, Night Policeman Reynolds, Dr. W. E. Smith, and others soon arrived on the scene. The man was unconscious, but Coroner Clark who arrived there fifteen minutes before others, says he muttered at one time "They took my watch and everything." This however, was undoubtedly a vagary of a wandering mind, for his watch and between nine or ten dollars were found on his person, there being no indications that he had been the victim of foul play as his mutterings might have indicated. The unconscious body was placed on a cot and taken to the Decatur hospital where attention was given him, in the hope of reviving him and saving his life. He gradually sank however, and died without gaining consciousness. His left leg was cut off at the ankle, the right leg was nearly crushed off just below the knee, making amputation necessary had he lived long enough; there was a deep cut laying open the hip to the bone; there was a cut above the left ear; and his back was badly torn and bruised from being dragged over the railroad ties. From pieces of clothing, buttons, combs and other articles strewed about that point, and from the pool of blood further south than where the body was found, it is evident that the body was struck there and dragged some thirty feet or more. How Spade happened to be at the railroad at that time is unknown. He was said to be totally deaf and it is probable that he either went to the railroad to walk down the track to his brother's home, Charles, who lives on Line street, and with whom he had been living for the past five weeks, or that he attempted to take a short cut across the railroad at the point where Madison street would cross if it were opened up, and which is frequently used as a crossing by pedestrians. After death the body was taken to the Scherer morgue and prepared for burial and yesterday noon was taken to the home of a brother, Frank Spade, who lives on the the old home farm, near Peterson. The funeral had been first set for Tuesday afternoon at 1 o'clock from the home and at 1:30 from the Antioch or Beery church, but on receipt of word last night from a sister in Colorado, that she would be here for the funeral, the date was changed and it will be held Wednesday afternoon, or held until such time as the sister may arrive. The Rev. Leach will officiate. The deceased was the son of the late Jacob and Mary Spade and was (Continued on page 2 - researcher could find no continuation on page 2) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.