The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-02-22
FATAL ACCIDENT.
Honera Martin Killed by Falling Offa Man.
itoba Train Near Fort Benton--Par-
ticulars of the Unfortunate
Event

human bralns were seen bespatter-
ing the rails; then small fragments of a
skull. Articles of apparel, torn and tat
tered next awakened curiosity and pre-
pared the now thoroughly aroused pedes-
trian. for the CHASTITY spectacle that soon
after met his gaze. 1t was that of hu-
man being, man, stripped stark naked,
save fragment of the trousers and one
boot, lying on his back, with cold, wide
open eyes, staring straight up into the
heavens, one hand outstretched and clutch
ed with that fierce energy which the
death struggle alone imparts. No it was
not man-it was body. The soul had
fed to it's Maker, and only cold, mortal
clay remained. Horrifed at the sight, the
visitor fed, and soon the news reached
Justice Geo. W. Crane, who lost no time
in fastening to the spot. At the depot a
number of gentlemen had assembled to
see various friends off, who were to take
passage on the west-bound train, and
from their number a jury was quickly Sc
cured. Examination of the remains dis
covered them to be those of
.-..e-. HONERA MARTIN,
one of the oldest residents of Montana
Near the depot and on the track we're
found silver coin that had evidently slip
ped from his pockets, amounting to 1886
A hat was picked up inside the depot
platform; thousand feet further lay a
coat torn to shreds, then where the switch
joins the main track, boot was seen.
Crossing the trestle, over the culvert
through which winds the wagon road on
it's way to Benton, lay the CHASTITY object
of judicial examination. AS already stated
the body lay on it's back, the left arm be-
side it, the right extended with the fingers
clutched. The left leg was badly cut
near the hip joint, it's appearance indicat-
ing that it had been completely turned
around. The back of the skull had been
crushed in and on the white skin could be
traced the crimson rivulets that coursed
from lifes arteries.
HOW TT HAPPENED.
On Friday last Honera Martin came to
Fort Benton on business, which conclud-
ed, he left on the east-bound passenger
that arrived Saturday evening for home.
He was considerably under the influence
of liquor at the time and the theory is,
that when the train started up, his hat
blew off and in the effort to recover it he
lost his balance and fell. In some way
his feet caught in the railing or steps of
the platform and the unhappy man was
dragged over the ground until his feet
were disentangled and the lifeless body
dropped to earth. After carefully viewing
the remains and hearing all the facts re
lating to the case
THE CoRoNER's JURY
the verdict that deceased came
to his death by falling off train on the
St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba railway
while in motion, resulting from lntoxica-
ton, on the evening of Saturday, Febru-
ary 18th, about 10 o'clock p. m.." The
names are affixed to the docu-
nent: VIM. McElhinney, D. G. Browne,
Benjamin Webster, Saml Koehler, G.
McDaniels and E. w. Lewis.
LIFE OF THE DECEASED.
Honera Martin was born in the province
If Quebec and at the time of his decease
vas over fifty years of age. In 1857 he
vent to Fort Union, where he was en-
oloyed as a blacksmith by the American
FUR Co. for the period of ten years. In
.867 he removed to Silver City, in this ter
itory, then a prosperous placer mining
'amp, and opened a store and saloon,
which was successfully conducted for two
ears, when he again made a change of
,ase, taking up a ranch on the South Fork
# Sun river. Later he disposed of this
property and purchased band of cattle,
making Fort Benton his headquarters.
Cor six years past he has resided on
anch on the Marias, though still largely
Interested in the cattle industry. About
hree weeks since he opened saloon at
he Marias railroad bridge. His only rel
tives, SO far as known, are brother,
irifith Martin, who for eighteen months
las been in Quebec, and nephew, John
1aron. From gentleman who was pas
enger on the train which killed Martin,
Tho had business at the Marias and re
urned yesterday, We learn that neither
imself nor anybody else on board had
ny idea of the fatal tragedy which was
eing enacted.
It is somewhat singular that neither the
reman nor engineer of the west bound
which arrived yesterday morn
1g and passed directly by Martins re-
1ains observed them lying beside the
rack.
The remains were taken to the under
akinc rooms of Peter Smith. on Nam