TWO MEN KILLED IN CITY TRAIN CROSSING ACCIDENT
Engine Drags Auto Wreckage for 4 Blocks
Victims Were Starting Business Trip To Indianapolis
Two men were killed almost instantly at 6:15 a.m. today when the car in which they were riding collided with the C. & E. I. train No. 95 from Chicago.
Dead are: Homer A. RUSTON, 57, R.R. 3, Harmony Way, salesman for Eigenmann-Hargis Company, clothing wholesale house, Rockport, Ind.
Julius Joseph NEFF, 38, of 1329 W. Maryland St., partner in Neff and Company, men's furnishings store, 2205 W. Franklin St.
Their deaths raise the city traffic fatalities during 1947 to three. Walter R. STEELE, 56, Mt. Vernon, Ind., who died at 12:37 a.m. today in St. Mary's Hospital of injuries suffered Wednesday, was the first.
Mr. RUSTON and Mr. NEFF were en route to Indianapolis to attend a clothing convention, according to their families. Coroner Ed DAUBLE said Mr. RUSTON, who was driving, apparently thought he could beat the train when he started across the tracks at the Columbia Street crossing, near Briggs Corporation. John COLEMAN, 416 S.E. Eighth St., train engineer, told investigating Traffic Patrolman Paul MASTERS, one car just barely made it across the track. The RUSTON auto was following right behind that car, he said. Mr. COLEMAN said he jammed on the brakes but the train didn't come to a full stop until it reached Michigan Street four blocks away. The RUSTON car, with the two men inside, was pushed the entire distance. Both men were dead when help arrived. Coroner DAUBLE said on preliminary investigation that practically every bone in Mr. RUSTON's body appeared to be broken. He said Mr. NEFF died of a broken neck. The car was a complete wreck, the coroner said. He was continuing his investigation today.
Fireman on the train was L. A. LUNENBACK, 1508 Akin Dr. Traffic Patrolmen assisting in the investigation at the accident scene were Herman HAYES, Robert COOK, and Gordon TURPEN. Mr. RUSTON's body is in Robert Greek Mortuary Chapel. He is survived by: wife, Lillian; son, Walter, Evansville, and brother, C. E. RUSTON, Indianapolis, chief examiner of State Board of Accounts. Mr. RUSTON was a Shriner. He also was a member of LaValette Commandery Knights Templar, Izaak Walton League and the Traveler's Protective Association. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Mr. NEFF had been associated with Sylvester KLEIN in the West Side clothing business since 1942. Previously he was with Stinson Brothers Clothing Company here for 20 years. He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and its Holy Name Society. He was a charter member of the local chapter of Te Deum International. He also was a member of Eagle's Lodge and the West Side Nut Club. Survivors are: wife, Evelyn; son, Gerald; daughters, Julie Anna, Mary Lou and Jane; father, Frank NEFF, Evansville; brothers, Alvin, Corpus Christi, Tex., Frank, Cleveland, Ohio, and Sylvester and Urban, Evansville, and sisters, Mrs. Sebastian RIEDFORD, Evansville; Mrs. Alex FISCHER, St. Philips; Mrs. Al DIETSCH, Evanvsille; Mrs. Joe SCHENK, Dale; and Mrs. Francis CONVERY, Omaha, Neb. Funeral will be in Ziemer Funeral Home at 7:30 a.m. Monday and 8 a.m. in St. Boniface Church. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, [Evansville, Vanderburgh, IN].
-source:Evansville Courier, January 10, 1947, page 1
Details of the Coroner's Inquest:
Inquest No. 804 on the Body of Julius J. Neff.
I, the undersigned Coroner of Vanderburgh County, State of Indiana, on the 10th day of January, 1947, held an inquest on Julius J. Neff whose body was found dead on the 10th day of January, 1947, at Michigan Street and C&EI RR in Pigeon Township, County and State aforesaid. After viewing the body and taking the evidence in the case, I do [state] that the said Julius J. Neff came to his death by reason of internal injuries (hemorrhage of lungs), concussion of the left side of brain, laceration of left cheek. This happened when Mr. Neff and Mr. Homer A. Ruston attempted to cross the C&EI tracks at Columbia Street. Were hit by train #1020 going south, at 6:00 A.M., January 10th, 1947. That at the time of his death he was 5 feet 7 inches high, 38 years 6 months 25 days old, was light complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair, and of American nationality. That when seen by me he was dressed full dressed and had on his person, so far as I could ascertain, $81.45 cash, 2 billfolds, 1 Vicks Inhaler, 1 pencil, 1 watch and chain, 2 business checks. Given under my hand at the place of holding said inquest, this 10th day of January, 1947, Edward H. Dauble, Sr., Coroner V.C., Henry J. Thirl, Clerk Deputy. Zeimer [Funeral Home]. Witnesses: Paul Masters, Herman Hayes, Gordon Tenpin, Robert W. Cook, police officers; Frank Schwartz, City Bus Driver.
-source: Vanderburgh County Coroner's Inquest #804, dated 10 JAN 1947
Engine Drags Auto Wreckage for 4 Blocks
Victims Were Starting Business Trip To Indianapolis
Two men were killed almost instantly at 6:15 a.m. today when the car in which they were riding collided with the C. & E. I. train No. 95 from Chicago.
Dead are: Homer A. RUSTON, 57, R.R. 3, Harmony Way, salesman for Eigenmann-Hargis Company, clothing wholesale house, Rockport, Ind.
Julius Joseph NEFF, 38, of 1329 W. Maryland St., partner in Neff and Company, men's furnishings store, 2205 W. Franklin St.
Their deaths raise the city traffic fatalities during 1947 to three. Walter R. STEELE, 56, Mt. Vernon, Ind., who died at 12:37 a.m. today in St. Mary's Hospital of injuries suffered Wednesday, was the first.
Mr. RUSTON and Mr. NEFF were en route to Indianapolis to attend a clothing convention, according to their families. Coroner Ed DAUBLE said Mr. RUSTON, who was driving, apparently thought he could beat the train when he started across the tracks at the Columbia Street crossing, near Briggs Corporation. John COLEMAN, 416 S.E. Eighth St., train engineer, told investigating Traffic Patrolman Paul MASTERS, one car just barely made it across the track. The RUSTON auto was following right behind that car, he said. Mr. COLEMAN said he jammed on the brakes but the train didn't come to a full stop until it reached Michigan Street four blocks away. The RUSTON car, with the two men inside, was pushed the entire distance. Both men were dead when help arrived. Coroner DAUBLE said on preliminary investigation that practically every bone in Mr. RUSTON's body appeared to be broken. He said Mr. NEFF died of a broken neck. The car was a complete wreck, the coroner said. He was continuing his investigation today.
Fireman on the train was L. A. LUNENBACK, 1508 Akin Dr. Traffic Patrolmen assisting in the investigation at the accident scene were Herman HAYES, Robert COOK, and Gordon TURPEN. Mr. RUSTON's body is in Robert Greek Mortuary Chapel. He is survived by: wife, Lillian; son, Walter, Evansville, and brother, C. E. RUSTON, Indianapolis, chief examiner of State Board of Accounts. Mr. RUSTON was a Shriner. He also was a member of LaValette Commandery Knights Templar, Izaak Walton League and the Traveler's Protective Association. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Mr. NEFF had been associated with Sylvester KLEIN in the West Side clothing business since 1942. Previously he was with Stinson Brothers Clothing Company here for 20 years. He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and its Holy Name Society. He was a charter member of the local chapter of Te Deum International. He also was a member of Eagle's Lodge and the West Side Nut Club. Survivors are: wife, Evelyn; son, Gerald; daughters, Julie Anna, Mary Lou and Jane; father, Frank NEFF, Evansville; brothers, Alvin, Corpus Christi, Tex., Frank, Cleveland, Ohio, and Sylvester and Urban, Evansville, and sisters, Mrs. Sebastian RIEDFORD, Evansville; Mrs. Alex FISCHER, St. Philips; Mrs. Al DIETSCH, Evanvsille; Mrs. Joe SCHENK, Dale; and Mrs. Francis CONVERY, Omaha, Neb. Funeral will be in Ziemer Funeral Home at 7:30 a.m. Monday and 8 a.m. in St. Boniface Church. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, [Evansville, Vanderburgh, IN].
-source:Evansville Courier, January 10, 1947, page 1
Details of the Coroner's Inquest:
Inquest No. 804 on the Body of Julius J. Neff.
I, the undersigned Coroner of Vanderburgh County, State of Indiana, on the 10th day of January, 1947, held an inquest on Julius J. Neff whose body was found dead on the 10th day of January, 1947, at Michigan Street and C&EI RR in Pigeon Township, County and State aforesaid. After viewing the body and taking the evidence in the case, I do [state] that the said Julius J. Neff came to his death by reason of internal injuries (hemorrhage of lungs), concussion of the left side of brain, laceration of left cheek. This happened when Mr. Neff and Mr. Homer A. Ruston attempted to cross the C&EI tracks at Columbia Street. Were hit by train #1020 going south, at 6:00 A.M., January 10th, 1947. That at the time of his death he was 5 feet 7 inches high, 38 years 6 months 25 days old, was light complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair, and of American nationality. That when seen by me he was dressed full dressed and had on his person, so far as I could ascertain, $81.45 cash, 2 billfolds, 1 Vicks Inhaler, 1 pencil, 1 watch and chain, 2 business checks. Given under my hand at the place of holding said inquest, this 10th day of January, 1947, Edward H. Dauble, Sr., Coroner V.C., Henry J. Thirl, Clerk Deputy. Zeimer [Funeral Home]. Witnesses: Paul Masters, Herman Hayes, Gordon Tenpin, Robert W. Cook, police officers; Frank Schwartz, City Bus Driver.
-source: Vanderburgh County Coroner's Inquest #804, dated 10 JAN 1947
TWO MEN KILLED IN CITY TRAIN CROSSING ACCIDENT
Engine Drags Auto Wreckage for 4 Blocks
Victims Were Starting Business Trip To Indianapolis
Two men were killed almost instantly at 6:15 a.m. today when the car in which they were riding collided with the C. & E. I. train No. 95 from Chicago.
Dead are: Homer A. RUSTON, 57, R.R. 3, Harmony Way, salesman for Eigenmann-Hargis Company, clothing wholesale house, Rockport, Ind.
Julius Joseph NEFF, 38, of 1329 W. Maryland St., partner in Neff and Company, men's furnishings store, 2205 W. Franklin St.
Their deaths raise the city traffic fatalities during 1947 to three. Walter R. STEELE, 56, Mt. Vernon, Ind., who died at 12:37 a.m. today in St. Mary's Hospital of injuries suffered Wednesday, was the first.
Mr. RUSTON and Mr. NEFF were en route to Indianapolis to attend a clothing convention, according to their families. Coroner Ed DAUBLE said Mr. RUSTON, who was driving, apparently thought he could beat the train when he started across the tracks at the Columbia Street crossing, near Briggs Corporation. John COLEMAN, 416 S.E. Eighth St., train engineer, told investigating Traffic Patrolman Paul MASTERS, one car just barely made it across the track. The RUSTON auto was following right behind that car, he said. Mr. COLEMAN said he jammed on the brakes but the train didn't come to a full stop until it reached Michigan Street four blocks away. The RUSTON car, with the two men inside, was pushed the entire distance. Both men were dead when help arrived. Coroner DAUBLE said on preliminary investigation that practically every bone in Mr. RUSTON's body appeared to be broken. He said Mr. NEFF died of a broken neck. The car was a complete wreck, the coroner said. He was continuing his investigation today.
Fireman on the train was L. A. LUNENBACK, 1508 Akin Dr. Traffic Patrolmen assisting in the investigation at the accident scene were Herman HAYES, Robert COOK, and Gordon TURPEN. Mr. RUSTON's body is in Robert Greek Mortuary Chapel. He is survived by: wife, Lillian; son, Walter, Evansville, and brother, C. E. RUSTON, Indianapolis, chief examiner of State Board of Accounts. Mr. RUSTON was a Shriner. He also was a member of LaValette Commandery Knights Templar, Izaak Walton League and the Traveler's Protective Association. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Mr. NEFF had been associated with Sylvester KLEIN in the West Side clothing business since 1942. Previously he was with Stinson Brothers Clothing Company here for 20 years. He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and its Holy Name Society. He was a charter member of the local chapter of Te Deum International. He also was a member of Eagle's Lodge and the West Side Nut Club. Survivors are: wife, Evelyn; son, Gerald; daughters, Julie Anna, Mary Lou and Jane; father, Frank NEFF, Evansville; brothers, Alvin, Corpus Christi, Tex., Frank, Cleveland, Ohio, and Sylvester and Urban, Evansville, and sisters, Mrs. Sebastian RIEDFORD, Evansville; Mrs. Alex FISCHER, St. Philips; Mrs. Al DIETSCH, Evanvsille; Mrs. Joe SCHENK, Dale; and Mrs. Francis CONVERY, Omaha, Neb. Funeral will be in Ziemer Funeral Home at 7:30 a.m. Monday and 8 a.m. in St. Boniface Church. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, [Evansville, Vanderburgh, IN].
-source:Evansville Courier, January 10, 1947, page 1
Details of the Coroner's Inquest:
Inquest No. 804 on the Body of Julius J. Neff.
I, the undersigned Coroner of Vanderburgh County, State of Indiana, on the 10th day of January, 1947, held an inquest on Julius J. Neff whose body was found dead on the 10th day of January, 1947, at Michigan Street and C&EI RR in Pigeon Township, County and State aforesaid. After viewing the body and taking the evidence in the case, I do [state] that the said Julius J. Neff came to his death by reason of internal injuries (hemorrhage of lungs), concussion of the left side of brain, laceration of left cheek. This happened when Mr. Neff and Mr. Homer A. Ruston attempted to cross the C&EI tracks at Columbia Street. Were hit by train #1020 going south, at 6:00 A.M., January 10th, 1947. That at the time of his death he was 5 feet 7 inches high, 38 years 6 months 25 days old, was light complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair, and of American nationality. That when seen by me he was dressed full dressed and had on his person, so far as I could ascertain, $81.45 cash, 2 billfolds, 1 Vicks Inhaler, 1 pencil, 1 watch and chain, 2 business checks. Given under my hand at the place of holding said inquest, this 10th day of January, 1947, Edward H. Dauble, Sr., Coroner V.C., Henry J. Thirl, Clerk Deputy. Zeimer [Funeral Home]. Witnesses: Paul Masters, Herman Hayes, Gordon Tenpin, Robert W. Cook, police officers; Frank Schwartz, City Bus Driver.
-source: Vanderburgh County Coroner's Inquest #804, dated 10 JAN 1947
Engine Drags Auto Wreckage for 4 Blocks
Victims Were Starting Business Trip To Indianapolis
Two men were killed almost instantly at 6:15 a.m. today when the car in which they were riding collided with the C. & E. I. train No. 95 from Chicago.
Dead are: Homer A. RUSTON, 57, R.R. 3, Harmony Way, salesman for Eigenmann-Hargis Company, clothing wholesale house, Rockport, Ind.
Julius Joseph NEFF, 38, of 1329 W. Maryland St., partner in Neff and Company, men's furnishings store, 2205 W. Franklin St.
Their deaths raise the city traffic fatalities during 1947 to three. Walter R. STEELE, 56, Mt. Vernon, Ind., who died at 12:37 a.m. today in St. Mary's Hospital of injuries suffered Wednesday, was the first.
Mr. RUSTON and Mr. NEFF were en route to Indianapolis to attend a clothing convention, according to their families. Coroner Ed DAUBLE said Mr. RUSTON, who was driving, apparently thought he could beat the train when he started across the tracks at the Columbia Street crossing, near Briggs Corporation. John COLEMAN, 416 S.E. Eighth St., train engineer, told investigating Traffic Patrolman Paul MASTERS, one car just barely made it across the track. The RUSTON auto was following right behind that car, he said. Mr. COLEMAN said he jammed on the brakes but the train didn't come to a full stop until it reached Michigan Street four blocks away. The RUSTON car, with the two men inside, was pushed the entire distance. Both men were dead when help arrived. Coroner DAUBLE said on preliminary investigation that practically every bone in Mr. RUSTON's body appeared to be broken. He said Mr. NEFF died of a broken neck. The car was a complete wreck, the coroner said. He was continuing his investigation today.
Fireman on the train was L. A. LUNENBACK, 1508 Akin Dr. Traffic Patrolmen assisting in the investigation at the accident scene were Herman HAYES, Robert COOK, and Gordon TURPEN. Mr. RUSTON's body is in Robert Greek Mortuary Chapel. He is survived by: wife, Lillian; son, Walter, Evansville, and brother, C. E. RUSTON, Indianapolis, chief examiner of State Board of Accounts. Mr. RUSTON was a Shriner. He also was a member of LaValette Commandery Knights Templar, Izaak Walton League and the Traveler's Protective Association. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Mr. NEFF had been associated with Sylvester KLEIN in the West Side clothing business since 1942. Previously he was with Stinson Brothers Clothing Company here for 20 years. He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and its Holy Name Society. He was a charter member of the local chapter of Te Deum International. He also was a member of Eagle's Lodge and the West Side Nut Club. Survivors are: wife, Evelyn; son, Gerald; daughters, Julie Anna, Mary Lou and Jane; father, Frank NEFF, Evansville; brothers, Alvin, Corpus Christi, Tex., Frank, Cleveland, Ohio, and Sylvester and Urban, Evansville, and sisters, Mrs. Sebastian RIEDFORD, Evansville; Mrs. Alex FISCHER, St. Philips; Mrs. Al DIETSCH, Evanvsille; Mrs. Joe SCHENK, Dale; and Mrs. Francis CONVERY, Omaha, Neb. Funeral will be in Ziemer Funeral Home at 7:30 a.m. Monday and 8 a.m. in St. Boniface Church. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, [Evansville, Vanderburgh, IN].
-source:Evansville Courier, January 10, 1947, page 1
Details of the Coroner's Inquest:
Inquest No. 804 on the Body of Julius J. Neff.
I, the undersigned Coroner of Vanderburgh County, State of Indiana, on the 10th day of January, 1947, held an inquest on Julius J. Neff whose body was found dead on the 10th day of January, 1947, at Michigan Street and C&EI RR in Pigeon Township, County and State aforesaid. After viewing the body and taking the evidence in the case, I do [state] that the said Julius J. Neff came to his death by reason of internal injuries (hemorrhage of lungs), concussion of the left side of brain, laceration of left cheek. This happened when Mr. Neff and Mr. Homer A. Ruston attempted to cross the C&EI tracks at Columbia Street. Were hit by train #1020 going south, at 6:00 A.M., January 10th, 1947. That at the time of his death he was 5 feet 7 inches high, 38 years 6 months 25 days old, was light complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair, and of American nationality. That when seen by me he was dressed full dressed and had on his person, so far as I could ascertain, $81.45 cash, 2 billfolds, 1 Vicks Inhaler, 1 pencil, 1 watch and chain, 2 business checks. Given under my hand at the place of holding said inquest, this 10th day of January, 1947, Edward H. Dauble, Sr., Coroner V.C., Henry J. Thirl, Clerk Deputy. Zeimer [Funeral Home]. Witnesses: Paul Masters, Herman Hayes, Gordon Tenpin, Robert W. Cook, police officers; Frank Schwartz, City Bus Driver.
-source: Vanderburgh County Coroner's Inquest #804, dated 10 JAN 1947
Family Members
Siblings
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Lillian Appolonia Neff Riedford
1894–1970
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Florence Catherine Neff Fischer
1895–1977
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Alvin John Neff
1897–1962
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Anita Marie Neff Dietsch
1899–1971
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Frank J Neff
1900–1967
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Marie Antoinette Neff Schenk
1902–1989
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Sylvester Henry Neff
1906–1971
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Anna Matilda Neff Convery
1910–1999
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Urban Valentine Neff
1912–1975
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