The herald., 1896-12-25
A CH|LD'S SL|Ft CRUSHED OUT
Six Year Old Harry BinkIcy
MangIed by a Train
EXPIRES IN THE HOSPITAL
Falls From Ills q hers Arms While lie
Was jumping OF
Ptiful Scene in the Hospital-The
Parent Arrested for Drunkenness,
But Later Released.

into the city receiving hospital there
continually come cases of suffering and
death, mangled forms gasping for
breath the cold sweat standing in great
drops upon the brow. the torn flesh
quiverng in mortal agony, but to all this
those whose duty callel them to the
whits-walled room have become accus-
toned, ard in a measure calloused 20
the sight of blood and pain. Yet last
night there was not a dry eye in the
hospital, and the stoutest-hearted Wept
like babes at the pitiful sight of a six
year-old child lying upon the operating
table. both legs crushed to a pulp dying
in silence, the victim of the reckless
careessness of a drunken father, who at
that time was lying in a stupor behind
those whose duty calls them to the
the bars of the jail.
From the time the child was brought
in until lie died, at exactly II o'clock, not
murmur escaped his lips, and his last
hours were mercifully eased by the ply
sicians, who kept him under the nfiu-
ence of opiates The father had 50 far
recovered that shortly before his child
died he was allowed to see the victim of
his carelessness, and was a the bedside
when the little spark of life went out.
The liquor befuddleG brain had cleared
and when he realized the full extent of
the terrible work kneeing by the bed
side he registered a solemn VOW to God
that never henceforth should he, taste
liquor again.
On the afternoon Santa F'e train from
San Rernardino Maeon S. Binkley start
ed for this city, accompanied by his IL
year-old son, Harry, to spend the merry
Christmas day with Mr.. and Mrs. Rich
ard Brown, the uncle and aunt at their
residence on Seventh street Mrs. Blink
lev for some reason, did not accompany
her husband and remained al home.
Binkley is a laborer, turning his hand
to whatever comes along, and began
celebrating his holiday by taking several
drinks of whisky. In his pocket he also
carried bottle of the stuff to refresh
himself on the road.
Just before Z o'clock the train slowed
down as it pulled into La Grande sta
ton, and as it slackened speed, Binkley
rose, and leading Harry by the hand.
walked out onto the platform. The
train was just about to pass under the
viaduct, when Binkley, taking the boy
in his arms, swung himself off the car.
evidently thinking to save the short
walk back from the depot to the First
street cars AS he struck the ground
the momentum carried him off his feet,
and he staggered and fell, the child
dropping from his arms and rolling di~
| rectly under the iron wheels. 1t was all
over in a second, the heavy trucks pass
ing over both limbs above the knees,
stripping, mangling and tearing them
| into a mass of quivering flesh.
| The shrieks of the child quickly at
| tracted assistance, and the train was
| stopped, several on board having wit
, messed the entire affair Officer Walker
happened to be near and was the first
TO reach the side of Harry as he lay on
the track He took the slight form into
his arms and pillowed the little head
on his breast. The child had, after the
first frightened cry, uttered no COM
plant, but, looking up at the officer,
pleadingly said:
"Oh, Mr.. Policeman, can't you please
get my mamma for me? I want to see
her before l die"
He was soothed by assurances that
his mother would be sent for, and
seemed content. While waiting for a
hack which had been called to convey
the boy to the hospital he begged the
officer to tell him whether his feet had
'been cut off or not, and when they told
him that they were still on seemed to
feel easier. With the assistance of
young lady who stepped out of the crowd
and volunteered her aid, the little body
was lifted into the carriage and held in
the arms of the brave woman until the
hospital was reached. Drs Bryant
Ainsworth, Morrison and Hit We're
quickly on hand. but could do nothing to
save the little victim.
All this time Harry had remained
perfectly conscious and talked freely
He told how the accident had occurred,
and said: 81 asked papa not to drink
any more while We We're on the train"
There was nothing to do but await the
end, and the sufferer was put TO bed
Meantime the father had been booked
on charge of drunkenness and locked
up in Jail By 1890 o'clock he had suffi-
GENTLY recovered to be permitted to see
his boy, and with bowed head stood in
silent grief, watching the pallid face and
expressionless eyes, now fast glazing
in death. Binkley seemed stunned by
the terrible consequences of his foolish
jump, and with eager eyes watched
every heave of the bosom as the uncon-
5oious body labored for breath.
When the last gaspin g sigh had ceased
and the waiting nurse turned and an
nounced that death had come, then he
could stand it no longer, but rushed
from the room in uncomfortable grief.
1t was some time before he was sufll
ciently Gained to give an account of
how the accident happened, but he final
ly said that he had stood on the car
steps, holding his boy by the hand, until
the train stopped, when he got off. The
cars just then started again with jerk,
however, and his child was thrown under
the wheels, he himself being hurled to
the ground. The half-frenzied man was
taken away by the brother law and
his wife. Binkley's sister. The body was
removed to the rooms of Orr & Hines
and notification sent to the coroner. An
inquest will be held this morning at $3.50,
when the blame for the accident will be
located.