Submitted by
Loyd Bishop

A sad accident
Frankie Hardwicke meets his death in a railroad wreck
Frankie, the 13 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Hardwicke, who live 1 mile west of Blackwell, was one among seven, who met death in the awful wreck, which occurred on the Santa Fe Railroad at Peterton, Kansas.
On Sunday morning, October 4th. The wreck occurred at 5:00 a.m., and it was 4:00 p.m. before the boy's body was recovered.
The Osage County Chronicle, in speaking editorially of the wreck, says: in gathering up the remains of the other six—men full-grown -- the work had been done with the business snap and push so characteristic of railroad men, but when it came to the body of the boy, we noticed a tenderness shown that had not been observed while getting out the others. Axle and truck and beam and rods and bolts and brakes were removed, and the nearer they got to the body the more tender were their movements. It was but a boy, and as strong, sturdy men saw the body pinioned to the ground they were affected as no other site of the wreck affected them. Frankie was a bright energetic youth, and will be remembered by many in K. County, as the boy who was taking subscriptions for Bryan’s paper a few months ago. He secured 185 subscribers in this county in a few days, and received a worthy notice in the paper for his excellent work. Nothing appeared on his person to identify him and his remains were laid to rest in an unknown grave, under the auspices of sympathizing citizens of Osage city. A letter was received by Mr. Hardwick on last Thursday evening, containing a description of the boy, together with pieces of clothing, which were at once recognized, and on Friday morning to sorrowful parent departed for Osage city, and had the remains disinterred and brought to this city, where they were interred in the Blackwell Cemetery. The bereaved family have the heartfelt sympathy of everyone in this community, and their sorrow is shared by every parent who mourns the untimely death of a bright and promising child.