The morning call., 1891-09-14
DASHED TO DEATH.
George Kerlin Mangled Beneath
Moving Car Wheels.
Horrible Fate of Young Man While Attempt
ing TO Jump on a Train of the Geary-
Street Park Extension.

AnOtntT chapter WAS Huutu y6SleTuny TO
the long list Of casualties that form part of
the history of the Golden Gate Park exten-
sion of the Geary-street Railroad, which
runs along Point Lobos avenue
The accident was terrible one, and un-
nerved those who witneSSedit, resulting in
the instantaneous death Of a promising
young man, whose name was George Kerlin,
buyer for the firm of |. S. Van Wrinkle &
Co., hardware dealers at Alb and AIS Market
street.
The death of the unfortunate young man
also removes the main support of an aged
father and mother and number of brothers
and sisters.
The story of the fearful occurrence can be
best told by relating the statement of w.
W. Emery. fellow-employe of KerliD, be-
ing shipping cleIk for |. S. Van Wnkle &
Co. Emery stated after the body had been
removed to the Morgue that he and Kerlin,
alter spending several hours in town, start
ed 10 20 to Golden Gate Park, taking the
Geary-Street ears.
After reaching the terminus at Central
avenue, no dummy being in sight, they
proceeded to walk out Point Lob0s avenue
When they arrived near the Odd Fellows
Cemetery they saw train coming toward
them and going in the direction Of the park.
At the time it was about 4 o'clock. 1t was
immed lately proposed that they jump on
while the train was in motion.
JUMPED TO HIS DEATH.
Both being strong, athletic young men. no
danger was apprehended, although the cars
at this point move at very rapid pace.
According TO the mutual understanding
Kerlin was to take the first car and Emery
the second.
Emery got on the platform of MS car all
right, hut kerlin seemed to have forgotten
fl,.a, mic sad fret
after Emery had jami ed safely, also made a
Jump for the second car. In making the
leap he became entangled with his cane, lost
his hold on the iron railing, slipped and fell
to the ground. There were many passen-
gers on the train and some were on the plat
form.
They were Mortified to see the young man
fall. The ground slopes toward the track,
and in his fall the young man was dragged
under the car-wheels OF the rapidly moving
train.
MANGLED UNDER THE WHEELS.
The wheels passed over his neck, break
ing it, and reducing 1t in size 10 one-third Of
its circumference. His teeth were all
crushed and broken ana his face horribly
mangled. His shoulders, In being ground
against the iron track, were also terribly
lacerated, the bones being crushed and the
flesh torn away. AS soon as the accident
occurred the train " as at once stopped, but
too late to prevent the fatal result. ker-
Inns death was instantaneous.
After the train moved on with its pas
SeDgeTs kerlin'S body lay stretched out upon
the road. presenting a horrible spectacle.
Many of the male passengers jumped from
the train and large crowd collected from.
the cemetery 10 view the ghastly sight Of the
maugied corpse. W. W. Emery, the COM
panion of the dead man, at once took charge
OF the remains until the arrival of an Of
ficer, when he turned the body over to his
cara Tho SunariptauHaDt of Ia Odd Eal-
lows Cemetery on learning that man had
been run over and was lying dead in the
road, teleph0ned the fact to the Central Sta
tiOn. Almost at the same time the news
was conveyed to the Coroner by telephone
from Central avenue and Geary street by
the railroad employees, The Morgue wagon
was sent to the scene and soon tranferred
the remains to the Morgue.
IMPAIRED TERRIBLE NEWS.
After turning the body over to the Gus
tOdy of a POLICEMAN, Emery proceeded 10
Al hawthorne street and communicated the
sad intelligence OF kerlin's death to the
aged father and mother OF the deceased.
Both were completely prostrated with grief
at the news, and We're so shattered In mind
and body that they were unable TO leave
their house, being compelled to send
friend and neighbOr to the Morgue to look
cut for their beloved and lost son.
kerin was very exemplary young man,
about 80 years of age. He was addicted to
no vices, aud had The confidence of his en-
ployers, by whom he was neld in high es-
TEEN.
Among his fellow employees he was a gen.
eral favorite and his devotion to his family
made him generally liked in his neighbor-
hood.
ON AN ETERNAL JOURNEY.
What renders the tragedy sadder than
otherwise is the fact that Kerin had just re-
turned from Santa Cruz, where he had
been spending an enjoyable week With the
Native Sons, he having been prominent
member Of Mission Parlor.
He had been speaking all the morning TO
his friend Emery of the excellent time he
had on the trip. OBe-half hour afterward
and in a most tragic way he passed onward
on that eternal journey from which no tray
eler has ever returned to relate his expert
ences, as Kerlin related the fine times be
had on his Santa Cruz excursion.
Besides his father and mother the deceased
leaves also three brothers and three sisters.
The following persons have been summoned
for the inquest, which takes place to-day:
W. W. Emery, 413 Market; Frederick Irene,
an eyewitness, corner of Wood street and
Central avenue; Robert Sherman, engineer
OF Train No. z of the Park Extension; G.
Stranded and j. MetZell, conductors on the
same.
ARREST OF THE ENGINEER.
Last night Robert Sherman, the engineer
of the train which passed over the body of
K.rlin, was arrested by Officer MahOnY and
charged with manslaughter. lie was re-
leased on his own rec0gnlzance by order Of
Captain Douglas.
EMMA'S IITCKY OVERAIIS