Francis M. Snively, aged 65 years and a resident of Cuba, met with an accident Wednesday night about 10 o’clock which resulted in his death in less than an hour. Thursday’s Peoria Herald-Transcript in speaking of the accident says: “He was the father of Dr. J. C. Snively, the government gauger, and had been in the city for a few days on a visit to him. Last evening he and his son, in company with Edward R. Kilbride, attended the convention of the Epworth League, and at its conclusion boarded a Knoxville avenue car and started for the son’s home. The elder Snively and his son occupied one seat, while Mr. Kilbride sat in front of them.
“Dr. Snively stopped the car when Nebraska avenue was reached, for this is the place of getting off, and alighted from the car with Mr. Kilbride. The father did not see them get off and still occupied his seat. The conductor gave the signal to go ahead and the car started, then the son called to his father to get off, and the conductor gave the signal to stop. One report says that the motorman slowed the car up, while the other states that he kept on going with the intention of stopping at the next corner, thinking that was the point for which the signal was intended.
“At any rate Mr. Snively attempted to get off and was thrown violently to the brick pavement. He struck with such force that his skull was terribly fractured at the base of the brain, so much so that the brain oozed out.
“He was picked up in this unconscious condition and taken to the home of his son, at 531 Lynn street, where he was attended to by Drs. Sutton, Whitten and Weil, the latter representing the company. He died within an hour without regaining consciousness.
“Coroner Harper was notified, and arriving at the home took charge of the remains. He will hold the inquest at 1 o’clock this morning at his office in the court house.”
Mr. Snively was an uncle of Mrs. W. M. Fike of this city and of Clarence E. Snively, editor and publisher of the Canton Register, and it was with him that C. E. resided for many years. He was also a brother to P. H. Snively, formerly of this city, but now of Cuba, and E. A. Snively of Springfield, for many years clerk of the supreme court of the Springfield district, and at present a member of the board of pardons for this state.
The deceased was a man of sterling qualities and well known throughout the county and his relatives have the sincere sympathy of many friends during their heavy bereavement which came so suddenly and without warning.
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F. M. Snively, a promient dry goods merchant, of Cuba, Ill., went to Peoria Wednesday evening of last week to be in attendance at the Democratic congressional convention held there the following day. About ten o’clock Wednesday night while in company with his son, Dr. J. C. Snively, he attempted to alight from a street car and in doing so fell, striking his head on the pavement fracturing the skull. Death ensued within fifteen minutes. The deceased has a son at Summum, and many friends all over Fulton county.