THE OBITUARY OF Thomas F. Derrwester

Thomas F. Derrweester, a well known junk dealer and old resident, was killed under the wheels of Northwestern train No. 102 at Second avenue yesterday morning shortly after 11 o’clock. Whether he threw himself under the train with the deliberate attempt to end his life, or whether he stumbled and fell, is a point which the coroner’s jury was unable to decide. It appears, however, that the suicide theory is plausible, for Derrweester is said to have repeated “Kill me” several times just before the wheels passed over his legs. He was a man who was said to drink a great deal, but was seldom seen in a helplessly drunken condition.

A. G. Hickman, conductor of the No. 102, which is known as the Northwestern’s Bonesteel train, was the only eye-witness to the fatal accident. He testified before the coroner’s jury yesterday afternoon that at the time of the accident he was standing on the rear platform of the train as it was backing over from Omaha.

“Just as the train was back up on the Y, Derrweester stepped across the tracks ahead of the coach. I told him to look out, as we were going to back up. He did not heed men, but continued to walk southward at the side of the track. When we got across Second avenue we were almost upon him with the rear end of the train. Just as the train had about overtaken him, I saw him, from where I was standing on the platform, fall or throw himself across the rail. I immediately applied the air, stopping the train as quickly as possible. But one set of trucks passed over him. As he fell he exclaimed “Kill me.” He repeated this several times. He was very close to the car when he fell.”

John M. Buck, a Northwestern brakeman, testified that he was standing on the ground, near the switch, and heard the conductor call to Derrweester. He did not see the accident. Frank Stegall, assistant train dispatcher, was on the train and testified before the coroner’s jury, which composed of Peter Smith, C. P. Hubbard and Painter Knox. The authorities were notified of the accident immediately after it occurred and the remains were taken to Cutler’s morgue, where the inquest was held in the afternoon.

Derrweester was very well known in Council Bluffs, having lived here for many years. He dealt in junk and for a number of years conducted a second hand store. He haves a wife and four children—a son, Frank Derrweester of Glenwood, another son employed as a lineman in Indiana, a daughter in Missouri and another daughter, Mrs. Coffey, in Deadwood, S. D. Arrangements have not yet been made for the funeral.

Thomas Deerwester, father of Frank Deerwester and a former resident of Glenwood, was instantly killed Monday about noon at Council Bluffs, where he has lived for some years. He attempted to cross the track to the rear of a Northwestern passenger train which was backing.

Frank Deerwester went to the Bluffs today and it is thought the body will be brought to Glenwood for burial on Wednesday. His first wife is buried here.

His death recalls a memorable Fourth of July accident that occurred in Glenwood in 1876—nearly29 years ago. Mr. Deerwester and Henry Wells were helping to fire a national salute early that morning from the old historic cannon then located on the Institution hill. A premature explosion tore a portion of an arm from each of the unfortunate men.