The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-12-27
JOSEPH GIRTON
KILLED.
BE WAS TERRIBLY CRUSHED AMI
MANGLBD ON THE RAILROAD.
he WAS A WANDERER FROM
GOOD HOME.
Letters Found In His Pocket Help To
Tell A Pathetic Story. He abandoned
His Mother And Went Forth To
See The World.

Cut In halves and disemboweled
The body of young man of IS or 90
years was found Friday evening bv the
crew of Central train drawn by engine
$40, midway between the Catasauoua
and Lower Catasauqua stations of the
railroad.
ihe raen came across the ghastly
sight about 6:3o o'clock. The body
was lying across the tracks near
Bowers slaughtering house. The
corpse had been cut in two bv the
wheels of the cars. The entrails Law
scattered about. The body was still
warm. 1t was supposed the young
man mad fallen off that same train
and met his horrible death. The
body was renewed to Undertaken
Stewards morgue and Coroner Yost
was notified.
Ihe circumstances connected with
the case are exceedingly sad. The
youth. who was still mere boy, was
handsome and we'll dressed He wore
blue suit, tar shoes, blue overcoat.
and derby hat. From letters found
IN his pockets it was learned that he
was Joseph Girton, of Bloomsbury.
Tie was a silk worker. The story Of
the letters is'that he had a widowed
mother. A letter from his mother
contains the Usual affectionate terms.
She talks about John and Bernard,
evidently brothers, cracking nuts in
the kitchen, and mentions two other
children, Alex and Lizzie. Yhe
mother says that if he was determined
to 60 off and see the world he should
always be clan and Christian end
do right, for that was the only way to
get along. The letter indicates that
the boy left home against his mother's
wishes.
One letter was addressed to
Joseph Girton, 4ao Gordon Street.
Allentown" No. 42o Gordon lie the
saloon of Anthony Ebertz, who gays
that Girton and three companions
came to Allentown Nov. 7. He got
work at the Givernaud Silk Mill. He
boarded with Mr.. Ebertz for several
weeks, when lie got job at the Cut-
ter Silk Mill in Bethlehem He then
changed his boarding place to The
Lehigh Valley House, in South Bethle-
hem. 1t is believed he boarded the
Central train out of mere bravado
and boyish recklessness, and as he
made fair wages and had enough
money to pay his way.
Ia the boys clothes DR.. Tost found
purse containing $3.II, silver
watch, razor, & big box Of cigarettes,
pair of scissors, time tables and half
dozen letters. A car wheel passed
over,the watch, which was completely
smashed The razor was broken and
the scissors were bent. He also car
ried some odd little sticks which are
used in silk weaving. On one OF his
fingers was gold ring.
DR.. Yost empanelled jury consist
ing, of William Williams, John HoweLls
Leon Dolsn, William Scott, William
Morrow and Johr Hopkins The
jury rendered verdict of accidental
death. DIR. Yost teiegraphed the SAD
fate of her sons death to Mrs. Glrton
at Bloomsbury, and ie waiting orders
as to the disposition of the remains.
-AAentoson Daily Leader.
Charles Stohner, Gn uncle, went
down Saturday morning, and returned
with the body Sunday evening. The
funeral was held Monday morning
from the residence of his mother, ca
Iron Street.