The Topeka state journal., 1897-10-29
TO DEATH
w. L. TrumbuII, the WeIlknOwn
Art Store Proprietor,
Killed in the Union Depot Yards
at Kansas City
By Santa Fe Train Last Eve
ming.

W. L. Trumbull who had an art store
at 720 Kansas avenue, was instantly
killed in Kansas City at o'clock last
evening by being struck by a train.
The body was brought to Topeka today
by a committee consisting of Jesse
Shaw, Robert Stone and c. E. Hawley
appointed by Rev. NJ. L. Thomas of the
Baptist church last night. Mr. Trum-
bull was member of that church.
The following account of how Mr..
Trumbull lost his life is taken from the
Kansas City Times
wv. L. TrumbulI of Topeka, Kansas,
was run over and instantly killed at
$50 last night by the Chicago limited
passenger train No 4, of the Santa Fe.
His neck and lower jaw were broken.
Mr.. Trumbull was ON his way to
ChlcagO from Topeka, and arrived in
the city at 6:10 o'clock expecting to
leave for Chicago at 1880 His train
backed into the Union depot but it is
supposed that he was asleep and did not
know 1t. The train stopped at the de-
pot for about a quarter of an hour and
was then pulled into the Santa Fe
yards, just west of the Twelfth street
viaduct. The Santa Fe has a double
track running into it's yards up to about
so feet west of Twelfth street. These
tracks come together at that point. and
only one track is used for the trains
entering the Union depot. The south
track is used for the trains coming in
and the north track for trains going
out of the station.
When train No. g. on which Mr.
Trumbull came to Kansas City, left the
Union depot, it was supposed to be
empty, the passengers usually leav-
ing the train at the Union depot, but
when the train came to the point where
two tracks meet Chief Pilot J. c. F'lur-
~ of No. noticed man standing on
the steps of the first coach. He called
to him to watch out for No. 4. the train
due at the Union depot at $50 The
man was TrumbulL He seemed to pay
no attention to FURRY and FURRY pass
ed through the train to where Trum bull
was standing. He again warned him
to be careful.
. All right, I'll take care of myself
VIII you tell me where l can find a
lunch cOunter?'
FURRY told the man the way to the
Union depot lunch stand and went
back to the rear coach. He saw No. 4
backing into the station, and called
again to Trumbull, just as he jumped
from the train. 1t was too late. The
train struck TrumbuIl on the left side,
breaking his neck and lower jaw. W hen
picked up he was still conscious, but
died in ten minutes.
Superintendent of Santa Fe Termi-
nails Starr said last evening that the
engineer of the incoming train blew
his whistle several times, but the train
was going at a good rate Of speed and
could not be stopped in time to save
the man.
In TrumbuIPs pockets were found
two drafts on the Central National
bank of Topeka, one for $50 and the
other for 800, and a certificate of mem
bership in the Topeka Y. M c. a.
THE body was taken to Stewards s
undertaking rooms and will probably
be forwarded to Topeka today
The prayer meeting at the First Bap-
tist church was in progress when a
telegram announcing the death of Mr..
Trumbuu was handed to the pastor,
Rev. Mr.. Thomas who announced the
sad news to the congregation. When
the people assembled, who were ali
friends of the unfortunate man, had
to some degree recovered from the
shock the prayer meeting was aban-
doned and those present gave testimO-
ny about the character of Mr.. Trumbull.
At the close of the meeting Rev. Mr..
Thomas appointed the cOmmittee to act
as an escort in bringing the remains to
Topeka.
Mr.. Trumbull was a bachelor and has
lived in Topeka for nearly 20 years.
He was regarded as eccentric by
strangers and often appeared to take
him. He has a brother, N. D. Trum-
bull who lives at Elk River, Minnesota,
and he has been notified. Mr.. Trum-
bull must have had a presentiment of
approaching death for before he left
he told his pastor, Rev. NJ. L. Thomas
that if he died while he was gone he
wanted to be buried by the church con-
gregatiOn. He also told his clerk F. l..
Zingheim that in case anything hap
pened to him he should telegraph his
brother at Elk River.
The arrangements for the funeral
have not vet been made.