The herald., 1896-12-02
DIED LIKE A LITTLE HERO
A Lad of Eleven Who Suffered
in Silence
MANGLED UNDER THE CARS
Both Legs Crush ed While Boarding q
Moving Train
Heart Rending Scene in the Receiving
Hospital-Conscious to the Last
and Resigned to Death.

Are they going to cut my legs off so
that can't run around any more?"
Pm afraid. my boy, it will have to be
DONE" replied the hospital steward.
"Then let me die. oh, my God!
don't want to live crippled like that"
and clasping his hands over his breast
little 11-year-old Everett Gilhousen
closed his eyes, gasped and was corpse.
A most pitiful scene it was; the grief
crazed father bending over the mangled
form of his little son lying on one of the
iron beds of the receiving hospital; the
watchful attendant standing by and the
slight form propped up amid the pillows,
pale and with the death sweat standing
on his brow; never murmuring, not
even a moan escaping the white lips, dy-
ing like the hero that he was.
1t was shortly after 5 o'clock last even
ing that the lad was brought to the
hospital from the Terminal depot on
First street, being taken from the train
which had just arrived from San Pedro
and Long Beach. A half hour previous
ly the boy had fallen under the wheels
of gravel train at Workman station
and both legs had been crushed into a
shapeless mass from the knee down.
1t was 9:15 in the evening when the lit
tie sufferer breathed his last, resigned
to his fate and dying without a mur-
mur.
Everett resided with his parents on
small ranch situated directly opposite
the railroad station at Workman. The
elder Gilhousen is farmer with a
large family, of which Everett was the
youngest boy. The lad went to school,
but also helped his father in little chores
about the place. Yesterday he worked
some time helping cut and haul corn
fodder to the barn and shortly before
4 o'clock was told to go and play the
rest of the afternoon.
At Workman station there is a COM
bined freight and passenger depot along
side the main track, around the back
of which runs spur switch which is
used to accommodate cars which are
being loaded or unloaded. Yesterday
the switch was occupied by train of
gravel cars loaded with ballast for the
roadbed. The train which left San Pc
dro at 3:45 pulled into the station on
time and was left standing on the main
track while the engine uncoupled,
switched over and factened to the grav-
ell train to pull it out and ahead of the
passenger cars.
Little Everett had come over from his
parents residence directly opposite the
station to see the train come in. He was
standing on the raised platform at the
rear of the freight depot as the engine
started off with the gravel cars. One
after another the cars passed him and
just as the next to the last one came
along Everett jumped from the platform
onto the loaded car. He struck near the
front safe and sound but the treacherous
gravel rolled from under his feet and in
inc ont 1,n ieoy NAfx
cars with shrek.
Passengers on the train standing on
the main track a few feet distant heard
the agonized cries of the boy and rushed
out just as the train was stopped. I'm
der the rear trucks Of the last car the
bleeding body was found and tenderly
carried to one side. The boy had been
run over by the last two cars and his
body dragged fully 100 feet.
Police Clerk d. E. Gridley and Officer
]. M. Baker Were on the train with their
families, returning from a days outing
at San Pedro and Long Beach. They were
among the first to reach the side of the
injured boy. The trainmen were prompt
in action. and quickly tore handker-
chiefs into strips making bandages,
which were tightly wrapped about the
mangled limbs above the knee to stop
the flow of blood Then the boy was car
ried hastily to the train, placed in the
baggage car. the engine coupled OIL and
a lightning run was made to the city. At
Manhattan Junction a telegram was
sent ahead and the patrol wagon was on
hand when the train pulled in. Clerk
Gridley staid with the lad and did all in
his power for him, assisted by the con-
dctor and brakemen, never leaving his
side until he was safely deposited on
the stretcher and started for the hos
pital.
DR. Stewart, the railroad physician,
and Drs. Bryant, Hit and Fish were
promptly On hand, but could do little or
nothing. The boy was weak and utterly
unable to stand the shock of the opera
tion Of amputation of even one limb.
Both legs were torn to shreds from the
knees down, the feet being completely
severed. Besides this the right leg was
broken at the hip about four inches from
the body. There were small cuts and
abrasions about the head and hands,
but nothing serious. Injections of
strychnia and whisky were given to rally
the falling strength and the boy was put
to bed awaiting turn for the better
About s o'clock his father arrived at the
hospital and a most affecting scene en-
sued. Everett recognized him at once
and feebly held out his hand, saying:
"Oh, papa, I'm so glad you have come.
Where is mamma? But don't show her
81 nv feet; they look awful" The mother
was not there, being at home Frustrated
by the terrible news and unable to reach
the side of her dying boy. To his father
Everett told how the accident had hap
pened, and said no one was to blame but
himself. He was consumed by raging
thirst, but up to the moment of his death
was fully conscious. The father re-
mained with his boy to the last-then
was led away shaken with grief; heart
broken.
The mutilated little body was removed
to the undertaking parlors of Orr &
Hines by direction of Coroner Campbell,
who will hold an inquest this morning
ut 10 o'clock.
THREE VALUABLE FINGERS