The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-14
RUN DOWN AND CRUSHED.
JOHN w. DoRETTY'S HORRIBLE
DEATH UNDER CAR WHEELS.
A String OF Thirteen Freight Cars Pass
over Him, Scattering HIS Body over
Distance OF Fifty Yards-A Demand
for the Grand Jury.

The practice in vogue among the rail-
roads Of making switchboard OF the levee
caused another death yesterday.
1t created such widespread comment Of
a salty character that the grand jury will
doubtless be called upon to investigate the
whole matter and bring aboutsweeping re-
form.
Shortly before II o'clock John w.
Dorothy, clerk ON the steamer Rob Roy,
had gone 10 a business house on Towards
row 10 secure change for $40 bill. Re-
turning, ho reached the railroad tracks
running along the river front, and began
walking northward along the Kansas City
track. lie had gone but short distance
when he heard n warning TO 'look out,
get out Of the way" lie turned, saw n
train approaching on the Mississippi &
Tennessee track, thought that caused the
warning and remained out OF its way.
The next thing that occurred was the col
lision that extinguished the flame Of life
in the frame Of Dorothy. Itcamo about in
this way, according 10 witnesses before the
coroner's jury, presided over by Squire
John J. Barry:
A switch engine Of the Kansas City
road had given section OF thirteen
freight cars. eight loaded, the remainder
empty, a start down the grade north Of
the Bcale street bridge, thon cut loose and
left them To be controlled by two brake
men. One Of these, Thomas Dalton, was
on the forward car, and he IL was who
gave the alarm when within a fow yards
OF Dorothy, Tho cars wero moving at
speed OF ton miles an hour, and when
thoy struck Dorothy OF course he was VIC.
lcntly borne down. For $50 feet he was
pushed forward by the car trucks before
they passed over his body, when nearly
the entire string passed over him. Both
legs were severed above the ankle, and
his right arm cut off ut the pit. His left
breast was torn from the bones, exposing
his lungs, and his back was broken in
three places.
Tho spectacle that came before tho eyes
OF those who visited the scene before
Doretty's remains were gathered up, was
truly horrible. For fifty yards along the
track, and clinging to the car wheels,
were pieces OF flesh aud bone, great spots
OF blood and tatterod clothing. II was
such sight ~ only those schOoled 10 il
could witness without shudder and sick.
ening sensation. A jury Of inquest was
implnclled by Squire Barry, and after
hearing the testimony available, the fol-
lowing verdict WIS returned
Game to his death by being run over
by train Of thirteen cars on the Kansas
CITY railroad that were detached from an
engine, aud allowed 10 run down grade
at a dangerous rate OF speed, aud without
sufficient iorco oil brakcmon Ia control
Their movements. The cars were do
tached irom the engine by H. A. Lyner."
IL was further developed before tho Jury
that tho system Of train management
which caused Doretty's death. IL The nsnni
ono practicod In obedience 10 instructions
from head men in tho service. Only a
small attempt is made to maintain a switch.
man at each OF tho street crossings. ono
man, Jack Mnnnion, was doing that dntv
80 lar ~ possible. ut both Monroe and
Union streets. lilo was nj the iortnar when
| Dorothy met his death, aud had lust
started Tor Union. With two trains moy.
ing In the same diTction, along side each
other, one Of them la front Of an engine.
II II little 10 bo wondered nt that anyone
walking along IN front Oi them should los
run down, especially by the one having no
engine to all in controlling IL. Had there
been vehicle emerging from behind tho
bluiis aud crossing the track. the same sort
OF accident would no doubt have occurred.
DOctty's home was In l.onoke, Ark.
whore his father, sister and brother now
reside. lie is well known In Memphis and
surrounding country. Last year hc ran A
farm at Jones landing for II. u. Persons a
Co, Of Memphis. Since then he has been
clcrking On the river. lie was about thir.
~ years oi age, aud a brunette, well formed
aud good looking The rrmains wcre
turned over "a the county undertaken, with
instructions 10 hold them until his people
/ wprp baurl fu,ft