Obituary from the Centralia Sentinel, Footprints Vol 17, #1: Dated June 23,
1894 - Harley MARSH of Centralia was killed in a railroad accident at Cobden
on the 24th. He was married to the daughter of Edward Donahue. (Cobden is a
small town in Union County)

Obituary from local newspaper:
"Fatal Rear-End Collision on the South Division by Two Freights The south end of the Illinois Central is again the scene of a disastrous wreck, and again death has come to an employee while on duty. At an early hour this morning Engineer Frank McMillan and Conductor Harley Marsh were climbing a steep grade this side of Cobden with a heavy train. They were going not to exceed eight miles an hour. Engineer Sherman Turley and Conductor Parmalee left Makunda eighteen minutes behind Conductor Marsh with a light train, and supposed Marsh and McMillan to be a safe distance ahead. The accident happened on a curve, and Conductor Marsh was standing on the front platform of his caboose on the inside of the curve. His brakeman, Doc Kell, was on the other side. Marsh saw the train coming around the curve at a high speed and told Kell to jump. Doc lost no time in doing so and got out of harm's way. It is supposed that Marsh hesitated about jumping a little too long. An oil tank was next to the caboose, and when the engine struck the caboose he was crushed between the oil tank and caboose and instantly killed. It is claimed that the rear train was going at a high rate and that the crash was terrific. Brakeman Kock got a few scratches, otherwise the boys got off safe. Harley Marsh, the unfortunate conductor, was one of the promising young men of the south end. He has been railroading for a number of years and was quite popular with the company and with his friends. About four years ago he was married to a daughter of Roadmaster Donahue. A few weeks ago he purchased a lot on the avenue on the west side and proceeded to build himself a home. The building is now in the hands of the plasterers and is a modern residence with all the conveniences and comforts of the late style of home building. Whether or not anyone is to blame for this accident we have not learned. It is probably one of those accidents which come when least expected and are in a measure unavoidable. The remains will probably be brought up this evening. The funeral arrangements have not yet been announced."

Submitted by The Genseeke