Gary Post Tribune, Saturday, 24 May, 1924
FALLS OFF MOVING TRAIN; DROWNS
CONDUCTOR ON NICKEL PLATE RIVER VICTIM
Slips From Caboose Into Little Calumet River; Body Recovered Stepping out of the caboose of a slowly moving freight train on the Nickel Plate railroad as it was crossing the Little Calumet river on the Van Loon bridge, near Black Oak last night, Frank Warling, age 57, of 1632 West Main street, Ft. Wayne, Ind., conductor on the train, was drowned. The train was decreasing its speed, preparing to stop to take on water. It is believed Conductor Werling did not know the caboose was on the bridge above the river, which is bank-full of flood waters, and that instead of alighting on the right-of-way by the side of the tracks, he dropped off into the high waters. It also is explained by other members of the train crew that he might have slipped from the steps of the caboose and fallen accidently into the river.

The body of the conductor was not recovered until 4 o'clock this morning, although the accident occurred at 11:35 last night. The body was taken to the Williams and Marshall undertaking establishment and will be taken to Ft. Wayne late this evening, following an inquest to be held by Coroner E. E. Evans tonight.

Werling is survived by a widow and several children. He has been employed by the Nickel Plate for the last 20 years and has been an efficient and dependable employee, officials of the railroad said today.

Members of the train crew started searching for the body just as soon as it was discovered that Werling was missing and when other aid arrived the train crew proceeded with the train.

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Created 22nd May, 2004.