Christian H. Beck (1828-1898)
Sources: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, August 14, 1898
and Joyce (Hansen) George
Run Down by an Omaha & St. Louis Passenger Train.
Was on Old Resident of Pottawattamie County.
Several Minor Accidents That Occurred Yesterday.
Chris Beck, a well-known farmer of Lewis township, was killed yesterday morning shortly before 11 o'clock by an incoming passenger train on the Omaha & St. Louis railroad. Mr. Beck was driving into the city on the Macedonia road and while attempting to cross the railroad track near Pony Creek, his wagon was struck by the train. He met with death instantly; his neck and arms and legs were broken and his body was frightfully bruised. One of his horses was killed outright and the other was so injured that it had to be shot. The wagon was completely broken to pieces.
The body was brought into the city on the train and taken to the undertaking establishment. Coroner Jennings was notified of the accident, and he at once empanelled a jury consisting of Fred Fleck, William Roper and Chris Bosen. THey viewed the remains and after examining a number of witnesses returned a verdict that the death was a result of an unavoidable accident.
The stories told by the witnesses before the coroner's jury varied considerably. The members of the train's crew and a mail clerk testified that the engine whistle was blown to give Beck warning of the approach of the train, but that he disregarded it. They state that he whipped up his horses and endeavored to cross the track before the train should reach him. He failed and reached the track just in time to be struck by the engine. The train was brought to a standstill within a hundred feet of the crossing.
John Damitz, Annie Damitz, Lizzie Hansen and Mary Damitz were driving along the road toward the city and were but a short distance from the scene of the accident when it occurred. They testified that the train failed to sound any warning and as it approached the crossing noiselessly on a down grade stretch, Beck seemed to be unaware of its nearness and drove unwittingly on to his death. They testified that the only whistle sounded was after the accident had happened.
Chris Beck was about 70 years of age. He was one of the early settlers of Pottawattamie county; he came here forty years ago and has lived in Lewis township during all this time. He had many friends and was highly respected by all who knew him. He leaves a family of grown up children and a wife.
The funeral will be held at 1 o'clock tomorrow afternoon from the family residence, two and one-half miles east of the Iowa School for the Deaf. The services will be held in the brick German Lutheran church in Lewis township.
Fred W. Beck was yesterday appointed administrator of the estate of his father, Christian H. Beck, who was killed at the Pony Creek railroad crossing last Saturday.
The funeral of Chris Beck, who was killed by an Omaha & St. Louis train Saturday morning, occurred from the residence east of the city at 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon.
Chris Beck, a farmer living east of here but well known in these parts was run over by the Wabash train on a very bad crossing and killed while on his way to Council Bluffs Saturday.