Warren Jones was seriously injured this afternoon at the railroad crossing on north Walker Avenue when he 4:20 train came in from the west. He was driving north in his single buggy when he heard the train coming. He stopped and it is believed autos coming up behind frightened the horse and it suddenly started to cross the track just as the train arrived. The engine struck the horse and rig squarely carrying them some distance down the track. Mr. Jones was injured on the side of the face and back of the head. He was taken to the Blair hospital and at last reports was still alive. The horse was so badly injured that it was shot to put it out of his misery. Mr. Jones has been cemetery warden for a good many years. Later – Mr. Jones died at about 6:15 this evening.

Pilot 1 Dec 1915

We noted briefly the death of Warren Jones in these columns last week, the accident occurring just a few hours before we went to press. The funeral was held at the Methodist church at 12:30 Saturday in order that Rev. Chas. P. Lang might return to his home in Tilden that afternoon. Mr. Jones had told Mr. Lang one time during his pastorate here, that when the time came to mix him with Mother Earth he wanted Mr. Lang to officiate, even if out of the city. The family knew of the request and promptly sent for Mr. Lang, who as promptly came. He was assisted in the service by Rev. J. W. Lewis. The music was furnished by a mixed quartette composed of Mr. and Mrs. George Moody, Miss Ethel Mead and the writer. The large church was filled to the doors and others couldn’t get into the building which spoke volumes for the esteem in which Mr. Jones was held by the people of Blair. The floral display was the finest we have ever seen in the church. Mr. Jones was born at Maqunon, Ill., Jan. 12th, 1844, and was therefore almost 72 years of age at the time of his sudden departure from this life. He was the youngest of a family of ten children, only one sister now survives him, Mrs. F. C. Olmstead, of Tecumseh, Neb. He grew to manhood in his native city and was married there to Miss Alice Hill Feb. 2nd, 1870. Seven children were born to this union, two dying in infancy. Those living are Mrs. Ed Noyes, Mrs. Chas. Pace, Ed, Horace and Donald, all of Blair. Mr. Jones was cemetery warden for the past nine years and always took great pride in the appearance of the cemetery. The entire community sympathize with the sorrowing family in their sudden bereavement.

Tribune 1 Dec 1915

Warren Jones Killed

Warren Jones, an old and highly respected resident of Blair, was fatally injured, on Wednesday afternoon, at the Walker Avenue crossing of the main line of the Chicago and North Western road, by being struck by the 4:30 passenger train and died in a short time after the accident. Mr. Jones was returning to his home and did not see the incoming train on account of the line of freight cars extending in both directions. Several Blair people witnessed the sad accident and state that he was thrown against a freight car standing on a side track near by. He was taken to the Blair hospital but never regained consciousness.

Warren Jones, born at Maquon, Illinois, January 12, 1844 died Nov. 24, 1915, aged 71 years, 11 months and 24 days. He was the youngest of a family of ten children. Only one sister survives him, Mrs. L. C. Olmstead of Tecumseh, Nebr.

He grew to manhood at Maquon and was married to Alice Hill, February 2, 1870. Seven children were born to this union, two died in infancy. Those living are Mrs. Ed Noyes, Ed Jones, Horace Jones, Mrs. Chas. Pace and Donald Jones all of Blair, Nebraska. There are twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

They came to Blair in 1885. He has been cemetery warden for the past nine years, and always took great pride in his work at all times.

Democrat 2 Dec 1915

Warren Jones Meets Death In Front Of Passenger Train

The stroke of a whip upon the flank of a nervous, high-strung horse was responsible for a tragedy Wednesday afternoon that brought sorrow to the hearts of our entire community. Warren Jones, one of the old residents of Blair, drove north on Walker avenue Wednesday afternoon and pulled up his horse at the North Western railroad crossing. Flanking the Jones buggy was an Overland car driven by Miss Ethel Mead, who was accompanied by Mrs. Oscar Guyer. Hearing the engine’s signal Miss Mead promptly stopped her car, although she had plenty of time to cross before the train reached the crossing.

For a moment the autoist’s attention was directed to the antics of Mr. Jones’ horse and his efforts to control the animal. Horror struck, these ladies witnessed the tragedy which followed a few seconds later and which will be indelibly impressed upon their memories. In an interview with The Democrat reporter Miss Mead stated that the whole occurance happened so quickly that it seemed like a flash of a moving picture film. Passenger train No. 22, with Engineer E. M. Mann at the throttle, rolled into Blair at 4:30 p.m. The rumble of the train frightened Mr. Jones’ horse. In an effort to quiet the animal Jones touched it with the whip, and bounding forward the maddened animal dashed in front of the on- coming train, the pilot of the engine striking the buggy just front of the dash board throwing Jones high into the air. In coming down his body came in contact with the baggage coach and fell between the tracks. Miss Mead and Mrs. Guyer jumped from the auto and rushed to Jones’ maimed body where after a hurried examination they detected faint signs of life.

Mr. Jones was hurried to the Blair hospital where he remained unconscious until his death at 6:15 p.m. Others besides Miss Mead and Mrs. Guyer who were witnesses to the accident were, Val Bunn, George Hennington and Mrs. J. P. Jensen.

The funeral services of Warren Jones were held from the Methodist church Saturday at 12:30. Rev. Lang, of Tilden, Nebr., delivered the funeral sermon, pursuant to a request of Mr. Jones some time previous to his death. The body was followed to the Blair cemetery by a large number of automobiles and carriages containing the sorrowing relatives and friends of the unfortunate victim of an accident.

Warren Jones was born at Maquinon, Ill., Jan 12th, 1844, died Nov. 24, 1915, at the age of 71 years, 11 months, 24 days. He was the youngest of a family of ten children. Only one sister survives him, Mrs. I. C. Olmstead, of Tecumseh, Neb. He grew to manhood in his native city and was married to Alice Hill Feb. 2nd 1870. Seven children were born to this union, two died in infancy. Those living are: Mrs. Ed Noyes, Ed Jones, Horace Jones, Mrs. Chas. Pace and Donald Jones, all of Blair. Twelve grandchildren and one great grandchild survive him. They came to Blair in 1885. He was cemetery warden for the past nine years.

Enterprise 26 Nov 1915

Railroad Crossing Fatality: Warren Jones Receives Injuries Which Result in Death

Again a human life has been sacrificed to the griminal negligence of the city authorities and the insatiate greed and parsimony of a soulless corporation.

Warren Jones, driving his horse and buggy, going toward his home in the northeast edge of the city, was caught on the Walker avenue crossing of the main line of the C. & N. W. road, by the incoming 4:30 p.m. passenger train Wednesday and fatally injured, death occurring at 6:15, an hour and three-quarters later. The pilot on the locomotive struck the rig, both the horse and buggy squarely, throwing Mr. Jones out of the buggy violently against the end of a freight car standing on a side-track nearby. Witnesses of the accident say that he was thrown head first, his head striking the car and that had the car not been there he would have lit clear of the track and train and possibly not have received much injury. The horse was so badly hurt that he was killed, to end his suffering, and the buggy was carried on the front end of the locomotive well down toward the passenger depot. The injured man was immediately taken to the Blair hospital where physicians were in prompt attendance but never regained consciousness.

Mr. Jones was an old resident of Blair, quite aged, and highly respected. He has served for a number of years as cemetery warden. He leaves a widow and a family of grown children.

Some years ago a man named Long, step-father of the late Mrs. Frank Stanfield, was killed while driving his team at this crossing; and it’s a miracle that more people haven’t been killed there; hundreds of people, many school children, who live on the north-side, are obliged to cross the tracks, the main line and a labyrinth of side tracks, with freight cars standing on them, obstructing the view from each direction, every day, and the least that the city authorities could have done for years would have been to have compelled the railroad company to have erected gates and employed a watchman at this crossing for the protection of the public.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~