Catherine Yates was born on 4. May. 1836 at Augusta, Hancock County, Illinois. She was the daughter of
Christoper E. Yates and
Catherine Couwenhoven Van Horn. Catherine Yates married
Patterson F. Harry on 6. Jul. 1858 at Carthage, Hancock County, Illinois. Catherine Yates died on 20. Jul. 1888 at Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, at age 52. Article in the Daily Nebraska State Journal, Saturday July 21, 1888.
The first fatal accident on the Rapid Transit railway occurred yesterday morning at half past nine o'clock about 300 feet north of the Salt creek bridge on north fourteenth street. Mrs. P.F. Harry, a woman a little past middle life, stepped on the track in front of the approaching motor to avoid a plunging horse in the road, and was instantly run down. She died in less than an hour after the accident.
It is difficult to give an exact account of the cause of this lamentable affair. At 8 o'clock last night the coroner's jury began an investigation under the direction of Sheriff Meliek, Dr. Shoemaker having been called out of the city. The jury was composed of R.B. Graham, N.C. Broek, Neal Johnson, L.K. Jenny, W.M. Herdman and Alba Brown. The following witnesses were examined during the evening: H.C.Mc Arthur, E.M. Allen, D.B., B.F., Mrs. B.F. and Nettie Ryman, B.F. Brew, James Malloy, C.H. Kirkpatrick, S.P. Munn and Dr.Hart.
There was so much confusion after the accident, and it came about so suddenly, that few of the witnesses had a distinct recollection of what had really happened. On material points contradictory statements were made by witnesses who had no intention of perverting the truth, and the work of the jury was therefore of unusual difficulty. The main points upon which there is no controversy are that the dummy train was running north at the usual rate of speed. A short distance beyond the Salt creek bridge. H.C. Mc Arthur and E.M. Allen were encountered, driving a single horse. The animal was afraid of the motor, and plunged into the ditch at the side of the track. At about the same instant Mrs. Harry stepped from the road over the first rail and was struck by the dummy.
She fell under the train and the wheels passed over both thighs, crushing the flesh and bones but not lacerating the skin except on the right limb, which was torn open. The face was bruised severely and one hand was cut.The engine was stopped before the second drive wheel had reached the woman and the train crew and passengers crowded around to give such assistance as was in their power. It was first thought that the lady was fastened under the wheels, but she was soon extricated. Kind hands then lifted her to one of the seats of the car and she was taken a short distance south to the home of D.B. Ryman. Here a mattress was brought out to the track and she was carried to the house and given all the attention possible. Messengers were sent for her husband and children and Dr. Hart was called. Mrs. Harry was conscious and spoke a number of times concerning the accident. She said that she was afraid of the horse, and thought that she would be able to clear the track before the dummy came up to her. When the doctor arrived she was dead. His examination showed that the shock was the immediate cause. Although she was fearfully injured, there had not been enough loss of blood to cause death. The testimony varies with regard to the relative positions of the engine, the horse, the woman and other means in the immediate vacinity. Some witnesses testified that the body was dragged a distance of fifteen feet. The engineer of the dummy is positive that he stopped in four feet after applying the brake, and it was applied immediately when danger was sighted. M. Mc Arthur and Allen stated that the woman was not between them and the dummy when their horse went into the
ditch. A passenger testified that when his attention was first drawn to the front end of the train the woman was stepping onto the track from the east, and was about ten feet in front of the engine. About fifteen feet behind her was the rearing horse, which she was evidently trying to avoid. The physician was positive that the body had not been dragged along the ground. It was further explained in justification of the engineer that his view of the road was obscured by a load of hay that made it impossible to see the trouble in advance until he was upon it.
After hearing the testimony the jury decided that in view of the importance of the case and the rather conflicting nature of the statements presented a thorough investigation would be proper, they adjourned at 12 o'clock until 10 o'clock this morning.
Mrs. Harry was fifty-two years of age. She lived with her husband, a carpenter, in their new house in Belmont. The couple have five daughters and two sons, all living in the city except one daughter whose home is in Denver.
The funeral will probably take place tomorrow.