Champaign Democrat
October 21, 1897
The uncertainies of life are scarcely ever more terribly demonstrated than in the tragic death of Prof AC Deuel Monday morning. An east bound Pan Handle frieght train pulled out from a side track near the old elevator on Miami Street at 10:20 and as it left the track clear, the mutilated and lifeless body of Prof Deuel was found lying on the track. How he fell under the wheels will never be known, as there were no witnesses and no one knew anything of the awful affair until the train that had brought death to him was rushing under full steam through the yards to the northwest.
The engineer of a westbound freight, that had also taken aiding near by to let the 10:20 passenger pass, was in the telegraph office near the elevator and had just arisen from his chair to receive his orders when he chanced to look down the track through the west window. With a start he rushed out the door and waved "down brakes" to his fireman who was approaching with the train in charge and hurried down the tracks to where he had seen the body across the rail. The scene that met his sight was terrible. The wheels had severed the body just above the hips as completely as if it had been done with the keenest surgical instruments. A finger of the left hand was also cut off. The body lay face downward with the head toward the west. Appearances indicated that the body had not moved after it struck the rail but lay as it had fallen. A large pool of blood heightened the ghastliness of the specticle.
Mayor Ganson and Marshal Kinna were called and the body placed on a stretcher and taken to the telegraph station and Humphreys ambulance soon afterward conveyed it to Humphreys undertaking establishment on North Main Street.
Mr Deuel had been about the depot and tracks almost all morning and for quite a while he sat and read a morning paper in the telegraph office. There was nothing unusual in this as it had been his custom to spend considerable time around the railroads, the strawboard works, furniture factory, electric light plant and other establishments near, and his presence did not attract much attention. About half an hour before the occurrence of the deplorable affair, Mr Deuel started home and was taken into a wagon by a friend and driven to his home at 217 West Court Street. He had been restless all morning and it seems that he immediately returned to the railroad and met his death.
Mr Deuels health had been declining rapidly of late and death would not have spared him long even had nature been allowed to take her course. About four years ago he was thrown from a buggy and severely injured on the head. Paralysis was induced and for a while life hung in the balance. He never fully recovered from his injuries and has suffered several strokes of paralysis since and the theory that is given most credence is that he was suddenly stricken while walking along the track and fell between two cars.
Mr Deuel came to Urbana in 1848 and ever since had been closely associated with all matters of local interest. For a time he taught school in what was known as the Poffenberger school, which has since been transformed into a fine residence building at 120 East Church Street, now occupied by Auditor McDonald and family. In 1850 he was elected superintendent of the public schools. In 1863 he was commissioned provost marshal of this congressional district with the rank of captain, but at the close of the war he resumed his former occupation and held the position of superintendent without interruption until 1891, when he was succeeded by W McK Vance. Since that time he has been identified with educational work in different capacities. For the past few years he has been salaried at $500 per year to perform whatever services that might be required. During the present school year, his extremely poor health made it possible for him to teach but one class per day, that of arithmetic in SB Price's room.
In 1863, the deceased was married to Miss Mary Marley, sister of Presiding Elder Marley of Springfield, and to them were born three children: Wilbur, 42, who has charge of the yards of the Illinois Steel Company at Joliett, IL; Frank, 36, who is now lying dangerously ill of paralysis at the deceased's residence, and George, 34, of Louisville, KY.
The deceased was the author of several text books and was one of the best known educators in the State. He excelled particularly in arithmetic and in this branch he was an authority. He was a teacher who had few equals and his memory will always be cherished by those who received their education under him. He was at one time a minister in the Methodist Church and was a member of the Masonic Odd Fellows and Royal Arcanum Lodges.
Urbana Citizen & Gazette
October 18, 1897
(Much of the same as above....)
The deceased was born at Esperus, near Albany, NY, and was about seventy years old at the time of his death. He came to this county when a young man and began teaching. His father with the other members of the family moved from New York shortly afterwards and purchased a farm near West Liberty where they made their home.
October 21, 1897
The uncertainies of life are scarcely ever more terribly demonstrated than in the tragic death of Prof AC Deuel Monday morning. An east bound Pan Handle frieght train pulled out from a side track near the old elevator on Miami Street at 10:20 and as it left the track clear, the mutilated and lifeless body of Prof Deuel was found lying on the track. How he fell under the wheels will never be known, as there were no witnesses and no one knew anything of the awful affair until the train that had brought death to him was rushing under full steam through the yards to the northwest.
The engineer of a westbound freight, that had also taken aiding near by to let the 10:20 passenger pass, was in the telegraph office near the elevator and had just arisen from his chair to receive his orders when he chanced to look down the track through the west window. With a start he rushed out the door and waved "down brakes" to his fireman who was approaching with the train in charge and hurried down the tracks to where he had seen the body across the rail. The scene that met his sight was terrible. The wheels had severed the body just above the hips as completely as if it had been done with the keenest surgical instruments. A finger of the left hand was also cut off. The body lay face downward with the head toward the west. Appearances indicated that the body had not moved after it struck the rail but lay as it had fallen. A large pool of blood heightened the ghastliness of the specticle.
Mayor Ganson and Marshal Kinna were called and the body placed on a stretcher and taken to the telegraph station and Humphreys ambulance soon afterward conveyed it to Humphreys undertaking establishment on North Main Street.
Mr Deuel had been about the depot and tracks almost all morning and for quite a while he sat and read a morning paper in the telegraph office. There was nothing unusual in this as it had been his custom to spend considerable time around the railroads, the strawboard works, furniture factory, electric light plant and other establishments near, and his presence did not attract much attention. About half an hour before the occurrence of the deplorable affair, Mr Deuel started home and was taken into a wagon by a friend and driven to his home at 217 West Court Street. He had been restless all morning and it seems that he immediately returned to the railroad and met his death.
Mr Deuels health had been declining rapidly of late and death would not have spared him long even had nature been allowed to take her course. About four years ago he was thrown from a buggy and severely injured on the head. Paralysis was induced and for a while life hung in the balance. He never fully recovered from his injuries and has suffered several strokes of paralysis since and the theory that is given most credence is that he was suddenly stricken while walking along the track and fell between two cars.
Mr Deuel came to Urbana in 1848 and ever since had been closely associated with all matters of local interest. For a time he taught school in what was known as the Poffenberger school, which has since been transformed into a fine residence building at 120 East Church Street, now occupied by Auditor McDonald and family. In 1850 he was elected superintendent of the public schools. In 1863 he was commissioned provost marshal of this congressional district with the rank of captain, but at the close of the war he resumed his former occupation and held the position of superintendent without interruption until 1891, when he was succeeded by W McK Vance. Since that time he has been identified with educational work in different capacities. For the past few years he has been salaried at $500 per year to perform whatever services that might be required. During the present school year, his extremely poor health made it possible for him to teach but one class per day, that of arithmetic in SB Price's room.
In 1863, the deceased was married to Miss Mary Marley, sister of Presiding Elder Marley of Springfield, and to them were born three children: Wilbur, 42, who has charge of the yards of the Illinois Steel Company at Joliett, IL; Frank, 36, who is now lying dangerously ill of paralysis at the deceased's residence, and George, 34, of Louisville, KY.
The deceased was the author of several text books and was one of the best known educators in the State. He excelled particularly in arithmetic and in this branch he was an authority. He was a teacher who had few equals and his memory will always be cherished by those who received their education under him. He was at one time a minister in the Methodist Church and was a member of the Masonic Odd Fellows and Royal Arcanum Lodges.
Urbana Citizen & Gazette
October 18, 1897
(Much of the same as above....)
The deceased was born at Esperus, near Albany, NY, and was about seventy years old at the time of his death. He came to this county when a young man and began teaching. His father with the other members of the family moved from New York shortly afterwards and purchased a farm near West Liberty where they made their home.
Champaign Democrat
October 21, 1897
The uncertainies of life are scarcely ever more terribly demonstrated than in the tragic death of Prof AC Deuel Monday morning. An east bound Pan Handle frieght train pulled out from a side track near the old elevator on Miami Street at 10:20 and as it left the track clear, the mutilated and lifeless body of Prof Deuel was found lying on the track. How he fell under the wheels will never be known, as there were no witnesses and no one knew anything of the awful affair until the train that had brought death to him was rushing under full steam through the yards to the northwest.
The engineer of a westbound freight, that had also taken aiding near by to let the 10:20 passenger pass, was in the telegraph office near the elevator and had just arisen from his chair to receive his orders when he chanced to look down the track through the west window. With a start he rushed out the door and waved "down brakes" to his fireman who was approaching with the train in charge and hurried down the tracks to where he had seen the body across the rail. The scene that met his sight was terrible. The wheels had severed the body just above the hips as completely as if it had been done with the keenest surgical instruments. A finger of the left hand was also cut off. The body lay face downward with the head toward the west. Appearances indicated that the body had not moved after it struck the rail but lay as it had fallen. A large pool of blood heightened the ghastliness of the specticle.
Mayor Ganson and Marshal Kinna were called and the body placed on a stretcher and taken to the telegraph station and Humphreys ambulance soon afterward conveyed it to Humphreys undertaking establishment on North Main Street.
Mr Deuel had been about the depot and tracks almost all morning and for quite a while he sat and read a morning paper in the telegraph office. There was nothing unusual in this as it had been his custom to spend considerable time around the railroads, the strawboard works, furniture factory, electric light plant and other establishments near, and his presence did not attract much attention. About half an hour before the occurrence of the deplorable affair, Mr Deuel started home and was taken into a wagon by a friend and driven to his home at 217 West Court Street. He had been restless all morning and it seems that he immediately returned to the railroad and met his death.
Mr Deuels health had been declining rapidly of late and death would not have spared him long even had nature been allowed to take her course. About four years ago he was thrown from a buggy and severely injured on the head. Paralysis was induced and for a while life hung in the balance. He never fully recovered from his injuries and has suffered several strokes of paralysis since and the theory that is given most credence is that he was suddenly stricken while walking along the track and fell between two cars.
Mr Deuel came to Urbana in 1848 and ever since had been closely associated with all matters of local interest. For a time he taught school in what was known as the Poffenberger school, which has since been transformed into a fine residence building at 120 East Church Street, now occupied by Auditor McDonald and family. In 1850 he was elected superintendent of the public schools. In 1863 he was commissioned provost marshal of this congressional district with the rank of captain, but at the close of the war he resumed his former occupation and held the position of superintendent without interruption until 1891, when he was succeeded by W McK Vance. Since that time he has been identified with educational work in different capacities. For the past few years he has been salaried at $500 per year to perform whatever services that might be required. During the present school year, his extremely poor health made it possible for him to teach but one class per day, that of arithmetic in SB Price's room.
In 1863, the deceased was married to Miss Mary Marley, sister of Presiding Elder Marley of Springfield, and to them were born three children: Wilbur, 42, who has charge of the yards of the Illinois Steel Company at Joliett, IL; Frank, 36, who is now lying dangerously ill of paralysis at the deceased's residence, and George, 34, of Louisville, KY.
The deceased was the author of several text books and was one of the best known educators in the State. He excelled particularly in arithmetic and in this branch he was an authority. He was a teacher who had few equals and his memory will always be cherished by those who received their education under him. He was at one time a minister in the Methodist Church and was a member of the Masonic Odd Fellows and Royal Arcanum Lodges.
Urbana Citizen & Gazette
October 18, 1897
(Much of the same as above....)
The deceased was born at Esperus, near Albany, NY, and was about seventy years old at the time of his death. He came to this county when a young man and began teaching. His father with the other members of the family moved from New York shortly afterwards and purchased a farm near West Liberty where they made their home.
October 21, 1897
The uncertainies of life are scarcely ever more terribly demonstrated than in the tragic death of Prof AC Deuel Monday morning. An east bound Pan Handle frieght train pulled out from a side track near the old elevator on Miami Street at 10:20 and as it left the track clear, the mutilated and lifeless body of Prof Deuel was found lying on the track. How he fell under the wheels will never be known, as there were no witnesses and no one knew anything of the awful affair until the train that had brought death to him was rushing under full steam through the yards to the northwest.
The engineer of a westbound freight, that had also taken aiding near by to let the 10:20 passenger pass, was in the telegraph office near the elevator and had just arisen from his chair to receive his orders when he chanced to look down the track through the west window. With a start he rushed out the door and waved "down brakes" to his fireman who was approaching with the train in charge and hurried down the tracks to where he had seen the body across the rail. The scene that met his sight was terrible. The wheels had severed the body just above the hips as completely as if it had been done with the keenest surgical instruments. A finger of the left hand was also cut off. The body lay face downward with the head toward the west. Appearances indicated that the body had not moved after it struck the rail but lay as it had fallen. A large pool of blood heightened the ghastliness of the specticle.
Mayor Ganson and Marshal Kinna were called and the body placed on a stretcher and taken to the telegraph station and Humphreys ambulance soon afterward conveyed it to Humphreys undertaking establishment on North Main Street.
Mr Deuel had been about the depot and tracks almost all morning and for quite a while he sat and read a morning paper in the telegraph office. There was nothing unusual in this as it had been his custom to spend considerable time around the railroads, the strawboard works, furniture factory, electric light plant and other establishments near, and his presence did not attract much attention. About half an hour before the occurrence of the deplorable affair, Mr Deuel started home and was taken into a wagon by a friend and driven to his home at 217 West Court Street. He had been restless all morning and it seems that he immediately returned to the railroad and met his death.
Mr Deuels health had been declining rapidly of late and death would not have spared him long even had nature been allowed to take her course. About four years ago he was thrown from a buggy and severely injured on the head. Paralysis was induced and for a while life hung in the balance. He never fully recovered from his injuries and has suffered several strokes of paralysis since and the theory that is given most credence is that he was suddenly stricken while walking along the track and fell between two cars.
Mr Deuel came to Urbana in 1848 and ever since had been closely associated with all matters of local interest. For a time he taught school in what was known as the Poffenberger school, which has since been transformed into a fine residence building at 120 East Church Street, now occupied by Auditor McDonald and family. In 1850 he was elected superintendent of the public schools. In 1863 he was commissioned provost marshal of this congressional district with the rank of captain, but at the close of the war he resumed his former occupation and held the position of superintendent without interruption until 1891, when he was succeeded by W McK Vance. Since that time he has been identified with educational work in different capacities. For the past few years he has been salaried at $500 per year to perform whatever services that might be required. During the present school year, his extremely poor health made it possible for him to teach but one class per day, that of arithmetic in SB Price's room.
In 1863, the deceased was married to Miss Mary Marley, sister of Presiding Elder Marley of Springfield, and to them were born three children: Wilbur, 42, who has charge of the yards of the Illinois Steel Company at Joliett, IL; Frank, 36, who is now lying dangerously ill of paralysis at the deceased's residence, and George, 34, of Louisville, KY.
The deceased was the author of several text books and was one of the best known educators in the State. He excelled particularly in arithmetic and in this branch he was an authority. He was a teacher who had few equals and his memory will always be cherished by those who received their education under him. He was at one time a minister in the Methodist Church and was a member of the Masonic Odd Fellows and Royal Arcanum Lodges.
Urbana Citizen & Gazette
October 18, 1897
(Much of the same as above....)
The deceased was born at Esperus, near Albany, NY, and was about seventy years old at the time of his death. He came to this county when a young man and began teaching. His father with the other members of the family moved from New York shortly afterwards and purchased a farm near West Liberty where they made their home.
Family Members
Children
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