Killed by Passenger Train
R.G. Gassett While Walking on Track Near Mesquite is Struck by Cannon Ball

Dallas Morning News
27 March 1906

 

Special to The News

Mesquite, Tex., March 26 – The eastbound fast train on the Texas and Pacific Railroad, due here at 9:16 a.m. knocked off the track and killed R.G. Gassett, a well-to-do farmer of the Long Creek community. The accident took place in Mesquite Creek bottom, about two and a half miles east of here, near his home.

Mr. Gassett was coming toward Mesquite, walking beside the track, and stepped into the middle of the track when the train was nearly on him. He was deaf and the wind was blowing hard, which explains his not hearing the train. He was carried on to Forney, and will be brought home this evening.

 

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Train Kills Man

Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Wednesday, 28 March 1906, Page 3

 

Fast Passenger Runs Down Farmer Near Mesuite, Texas

Special to The Telegram
FORNEY, Texas, March 28 – An eastbound fast passenger train knocked off the track and killed R.G. Gassett, a well-to-do farmer of the Long Creek community, yesterday. The accident took place near Mesquite.

Mr. Gassett was coming toward Mesquite, walking beside the track, and stepped into the middle of the track when the train was nearly on him. He was deaf and the wind was blowing hard, which explains his not hearing the train. He was brought here and later taken home.

 

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Unknown Newspaper
1906

 

Forney, Tex., March 26 – This morning the Texas and Pacific Cannon Ball ran over and killed R.G. Gassett about two and a half miles this side of Mesquite. The body was picked up and brought here on the train and was prepared by the local undertaker. The family came over and took charge of the remains and they will be interred at Mesquite. From the engineer it is learned that Mr. Gassett was walking by the side of the track in the direction of the train, and when just with a few feet of the engine he suddenly stepped on the track, unaware of the approaching train, and it was impossible to even slacken the speed of the train before it struck him. His body was badly crushed and death was instanteous.

 

Note: Ruben Glen Gassett is buried at Long Creek Cemetery in Sunnyvale, Texas.

 

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