The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1890-09-05
KILLED BY THE CARS.
SUICIDE OF FRANKLIN P. KLINE.

On Tuesday noon as the Bloomsbury q
Sullivan train came around the curve at
the rocks at the bridge, IL ian over a man.
He was seen by little boy at Mr.. Stiner's
house near the bridge, sitting up on the
rocks above the track for couple ofhours.
AS the train came in sight the man started
down toward the track, and the boy called
to him saying that the train was coming.
This attracted the attention OF Mrs. Sarah
Stiner who came out on the porch and saw
the man walking between the tracks and
the rocks, and she called to him that the
train was coming and he would get
squeezed. He looked back at her and then
as the train appeared around the curve he
dropped on his knees and threw himself
across the inside rail, in front Of the en-
gine. Mrs. Sarah Stiner and Mrs. Mary
Stiner both saw his movements, and saw
the engine strike him. The whole train
passed over his body literally cutti " him
In two, and severing his left arm. The
engineer OF the train was Philip Zeigler,
the fireman was William Geise, aud the
conductor, J. W. Scott. None Of them
but the fireman saw the man, and he not
until 1t was too late to stop the cars. Many
Of the passengers noticed the jar as the
wheels passed over the body. The train
was stopped, and the passengers and train
men went back to the mangled remains,
but no one recognized the deceased. He
was well dressed in dark clothes, had on
new shoes, aud black derby hat lay near.
Thos. W. Conner OF Orangevlle was left
in charge of the body, and conductor Scott
sent messenger for Esquire Jscoby, who
summoned the following persons as jurors:
Joseph Shsrpless, G. w. Sterner, J. c.
Brown, DIR. T. o. Harter, William Hartzel
and G. @. Baker. They went down to the
track and viewed the body before 1t was
removed, and then it was taken to the
undertaking rooms of Raker and Mcbride,
aud placed in an ice box. None of the
jurors recognized the deceased. His face
was black and his eyes protruded, and he
was so disfgured that even when postal
card was found in his pocket addressed to
franklin z. Kline, they did not identify
him. His name was also found on piece
of paper in his hat, but no one suspected
who he was, though hundreds saw him as
he lay there. He was finally identified by
Frank Wilson, by his hat, his stockings
and clothes, and the filling in his teeth.
The terrible news was gently broken to
Mrs. Kline, who.is prostrsted by the blow.
A hearing was held by Guy Jscoby Esq.
| acting as coroner, at his Office at 3 p. M,
and after hearing the testimony of the two
Mrs. Stiners, verdict was rendered that
| the deceased came to his death by throw
| ing himself before the cars of the b. & 8.
r. II. Co. while temporarily insane. The
railroad company was entirely exonerated
from any blame.
| Franklin P. Kline has been the book
keeper at l. W. McKevy's store for the
past eleven years. For fourteen years
previous to that he was q clerk in the store,
and for all the time trusted and faithful
employee. BY his industry aud economy
he had accumulated some property. lie
was married about fifteen years ago to Miss
| Ella Hay, who survives with one son, aged 81,
years. His age was nearly SO years. He
was son Of Elias Kline Of Rohrsburg, and
a brother Of Clark Kline Of Espy, and Mar.
vim Kline Of Rohrsburg. He was always
quiet and unobtrusive in his manner, and
enjoyed the respect of all his friends. For
some time his health has been failing, and
he has been troubled with nervousness and
indigestion. This no doubt was what un
balanced his mind and led him to self-d
.struction. In his family he was kint
and indulgent father and husband. Tht
funeral will take place on Friday at 10 a. m