Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-01-03
TIRED OF LIFE.
Thor.ss Mills Throws Himsei: Between the
Cars CT Moving Train and Is
Instantly Killed

/ Al lila Il. IN. yesterday, as freight train
| No. 6 on me II. Louis, Fort Scott and
Wichita railroad was pulling out from the
freight depot in this city a man was seen to
deliberately throw himself across the track
between the cars. The conductor and en-
gineer of train No :, which was Oh the eide
track, SAW the act and Instantly signalled the
moving train to stop. but before this could
he done two Of the trucks of an empty coal
car passed over his body aud the next wheel
had got directly upon him when the train
was stopped. When taken from beneath
the train it was discovered that
the wheels had passed over about the middle
of his body. crushing ont his entraiis and
almost cutting him in two. He was taken
into the freight house, where he breathed
his last in few minutes.
AT p. m. Coroner J. W. Winsard en-
panneled tee following jury: A. J. Stanley.
W. : Morris, George 7. Millburn, W. T.
Cooper, John Mcmillan and Joseph Dewitt.
Joseph Harkins recognized the body as
that of Thomas Mills, n laborer who worked
for Il contractor on the extension Of the Fort
Scott railroad. The deceased was dressed in
the garb of a laboring man, and nothing but
a tobacco sack and piece of string was
found in his pockets. After examining the
remains the jury retired TO the coroner's
Office where witnesses were examined.
Mr.. G. NJ. Bauman, who has charge of
the cars and locomotives, testifiei that the
man came 10 him few minutes before tine
accident and asked ii the boys had all gone
TO the front. He did not think he was
drunk, but he looked as if he had been on a
bum. Joseph Harkins said that the de-
ceased had worked with him on the rail-
strange acting man, but never knew him to
drink. The deceased had told him that he
had once kept store in Colorado; never
heard him say where he belonged or if he
was IN arried or single, or if ho had any rela-
tives. Two boys named Haynes testified
that they saw deceased get down on
his hands and knees and crawl
in between the ear while the |
train was in motion. That he started from |
the east side and as soon as he had reached |
The rail on the west side he lay down across |
i, the wheels passing oyer him as before
stated. The conductor and engineer Of the \
rain gave substantially the same testimony.
The deceased l. slightly built, about A.
'cars old, Of medium height and looked as
f he had been half starved. The man Har-
,ins with whom he had worked, said he left
he road about Il month ago and he had not
cen him from ,hat time until he saw him
lead
Nobody WAS found who knew where he
ad stopped here or how long he had been
"A town. Later in theevening reporter met
:. F. Charnbcrlin who said he had a talk with
deceased yesterday morning when he told
i'm he had no money and had nothing TO
AT since the DAY before and that lac guessed |
e would soon have to die
The verdict of the jury was that the de
eased had come by lis death by deliberately
irowing himself under train Of cars while
n motion->aid cars passing over hi body /,
ausing instant death; no blame attached to
&c railroad company.
During the afternoon the probable cause :
the rash act was freely discussed. No
auSc could be assigned bat hunger and ,
Misery.
\ number of our citizens speaking in this ,
said that not day passes that |
ne or more men do not come 10 their resi- :
cnces begging for food, and itappears that ,
Ii> IS general all over town. They come ]
ON the east, from Colorado. from Texas
nd from everywhere-just now the storm q
enter of tramps is right here; they are OF G
I kinds. both young and old; well clad {
nd almost naked. In this connection it is ,
ifiicult to distinguish between the profes-
onal tramp and the honest man out Of !
ork. Our citizens appear to be very ten :
er hearted and charitable. We have not '
card Of single applicant being turned /
way without being fed. II