Perry Seeds

Civil War Veteran Killed in train car accident.

Ref: Allen County Gazette, 26 Sep. 1890 - Perry Seeds, An employee of the car shops, horribly mangled. He attempts to board a moving train, on the C. H. & D Railroad - Looses his hold and is thrown beneath the wheels -- The C. H. & D. Railroad are playing hard luck, having had in the neighborhood of seventy accidents since the first day of September, and still they come. The last one occurred last evening, at 6:30 o’clock, at the crossing of the St. Johns road, the particulars of which are as follows: Perry Seeds, who is employed in the planing ill at the Lafayette car works, having finished his day’s work, started up the C. H. & D. track, accompanied by two or three of his fellow workmen, homeward bound. They had hardly reached St. John’s crossing, when C. H. & D. switch engine No. 5 overtook them, having been over to the C. & E. Railroad after several car loads of oil, and Perry being in the habit of riding home every evening attempted to get on the front end of the third car from the rear, when he lost his hold and was precipitated beneath the wheels, the three cars passing over his legs just below the knee, cutting the right leg off and horribly mangling the left one.

The train stopped, and people in view of the accident ran to his assistance. Seeing the extent of the unfortunate man’s injuries, the nearest physician, Dr. Bates, was sent for, and soon arrived. He ordered the city ambulance form the South Side hose house, in which the poor fellow was conveyed to his home on the extreme end of East North street, accompanied by Drs. Bates and Kale and Kale, the attending physicians.

After arriving at his residence a thorough examination was made, when it was found necessary to amputate the left leg, but owing to his critical condition, it was deemed better to let him rest until he could recover somewhat from the shock. The worst was feared from the first, and it was soon found that he could not survive. He was informed of his condition, and the family was likewise made aware of the fact that his death was but a question of a few hours. He was given a tonic, and calling his family to his bedside he bade them all a last farewell and talked in most tender way to them. The scene was very affecting, and will long be borne in mind by those who witnessed it. His death occurred at 10:30 o’clock, he becoming unconscious a short time before he died.