Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2017 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== The Yale Expositor December 14, 1894 HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. ELIZABETH FRYE, a Deaf-Mute, Killed by the Special Engine and Car Known as Peggy, Monday Afternoon at about 4:30. Her Head Severed from the Body and One Leg Broken. RAILROAD COMPANY NOT TO BLAME NEITHER IS IT THE FAULT OF ANY OF THE EMPLOYES, SO IS THE VERDICT GIVEN AT THE INQUEST ON TUESDAY. The most shocking and horrible accident that the people of Yale have ever witnessed occurred here Monday afternoon about half past four. The job of taking care of and lighting the switch lamps was given to EDWARD FRYE and it has been the custom of the family to send out their deaf and dumb daughter to put the lights up. It seems she has had several narrow escapes from the cars, and it is rather strange that she continued going. On this particular night, the rain was coming down in torrents and it was unfit for her to be out. However, she had put up the lights and started on the track for her home, which is just opposite the North Street crossing, when the long blast of an engine whistle sounded and then two long and two short blasts for the crossing. Of course the girl did not hear the whistle, neither did the engineer, MR. HINES, see her until within 5 or 10 rods. Warning was quickly given but no attention was paid by the girl and air brakes were immediately applied. The train was the engine and car known as the Peggy, which had been along the line to inspect the overhead wires to see if all was in accordance to law. The return trip from Port Huron to Saginaw was now being made with no stops but for water and crossings. The air brake hose projecting from the pilot caught the girl's dress and the body was dragged along until the engine could be stopped at North street crossing about in front of her home. On backing up the heart-rending spectacle came into view of the body with head completely severed and leg crushed and bruised. She was immediately carried into her home, where a crowd soon collected, the news of the accident rapidly flying through the whole town. A jury was summoned by Justice HISEY, consisting of A. W. FERGUSON, E. R. LEECHER, R. M. LOTHIAN, JOHN BLACK, THOMAS HOLDEN and WALLACE B. BALLENTINE and an inquest held Tuesday morning with the verdict as follows: "ELIZABETH FRYE came to her death by being struck by an engine on Flint & Pere Marquette rail road through no blame of the R. R. Co. or any of its employes." The body was taken in charge of by Undertaker GOUGH and kind friends prepared the body for burial. The funeral was held at the M. P. church on Wednesday at 1 o'clock P. M. the services conducted by Rev. WINDREM. Two other chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. FRYE, deaf mutes, were at school in Flint and the railroad company considerately sent them passes to come to the funeral of their sister. ELIZABETH FRYE was born in township of Wawanosh, county Huron, Canada, November 4th, 1865, and was the second daughter of EDWARD FRYE. This accident should and will be a warning to people to keep their chil- dren off the railroad track, although it may not be a similar case, this one being a deaf mute and of course not responsible, but all know that these accidents occur when people have all their senses, and a great many boys of this town are too careless in playing about the tracks. We don't want another accident of this kind. ==========================================================================