Osceola County, Iowa Genealogy Trails Obituaries

Cyrus D. Wilbern

KILLED UNDER THE CARS
Cyrus D. Wilbern Met Instant Death

Cyrus D. Wilbern one of the most substantial and highly respected citizens of Sibley met instant death yesterday afternoon at two o'clock under the wheels of a Rock Island freight car. He had left the office of the Harris Elevator Co. and started up the side track toward the Rock Island depot. About the time he reached the wagon crossing an engine and freight train came up behind him. Hearing the noise from behind he stepped out of the way of this train and got over on the main track just as a second train headed west was backing up. The train on the main track had "kicked" a car to run it in side track and as he stepped inside the rails the loose car struck him from behind, two wheels passing over him just below the groin. He was shoved along a distance of thirty of forty feet and both legs were frightfully mangled. The accident was witnessed by Will Redmond and a brakeman, who pulled him from under the car after it had stopped. He made two or three inarticulate cries, gasped and died.

Just how he came to be caught in such a terrible manner is difficult to explain, but it is presumed that he was not aware of a second train being close and the noise of the engine on the side track covered the stealthy approach of the loose car on the main line. Mr. Wilbern was the last person one would suspect of being the victim of such an accident. Of a careful, methodical disposition, and extreme alertness of body, the only conclusion is that he was caught in a veritable trap, formed by a most unfortunate combination of circumstances.

Funeral services will be held this afternoon at two o'clock at the house, and the remains will be interred in the Sibley cemetery. All business houses will be closed from 1:30 to 3:00 o'clock.

Mrs. F.M. Hickman and Mrs. Ira P. Fox, daughters of the deceased, arrived here yesterday afternoon from Worthington . -Sibley Gazette.

Worthington Advance, Worthington, Mn., Friday, March 31, 1905
Submitted by Gary Boomgaarden

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