Bloomington (IN) Telephone, Mar 22, 1912, p. 1.
FIVE R. R. VICTIMS BURIED TODAY
Funeral of Four Held at Spencer
A quadruple funeral, that of four of the young men who met a terrible death
Monday morning when they were struck by Monon train No. 4 while crossing
the track at Ellettsville in a closed surrey, was held today at 2 o'clock
at the Christian Church at Spencer. The glass factory remained closed down
so the employees could attend. Many others attended out of curiosity and
it was the largest funeral that was ever held at Spencer. The services
were very impressive and seldom in the country are four bodies buried side
by side.
At the same time the funeral of Martin Warden, Hal Brown, Jesse Rodgers and
Emmett Williams was being held at Spencer, another funeral, that of Arthur
Warden, was being held at his home town of Summittsville. He was the fifth
victim of the horrible accident and his remains were sent to Summittsville
Tuesday evening.
The bodies of the four men remained at the Hunter and Son Morgue until
afternoon yesterday when they were taken to Spencer in two spring
wagons. Jesse Rodgers had belonged to the Red Men order at his home town
for about 8 weeks, but because of some delay in paying the dues the lodge
would take no responsibility upon othemselves for his burial. The Red Men
camp at Ellettsville took the initiative and had the body prepared for
burial befitting a member of the order and in their regalia. A number of
members came over from Spencer and stated that they would cooperate with
the Ellettsville lodge.
The glass factory, where the men had worked, was forced to close down
Monday because of a broken boiler and since the accident has not resumed
work. President Bartless and Supt. Bold made arrangements for the funeral
and a subscription was taken to buy a cemetery lot where the remains of
their fellow workmen could be interred. The Red Men of Spencer attended
the funeral in a body and held their ritualistic service at the grave of
their brother
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Of the unfortunate victims of the Ellettsville accident, the Spencer
Journal says: "All the boys were favorites at the factory. Williams was
known as 'Yellow Baby,' Martin as 'White Eye,' Farmer as 'Gay Bo'
and Brown
as 'Brownie.' Their untimely death has cast a gloom over the entire
community."