The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-09-02
FEET CUT OFF.
Geo. Wagon Meets With a
Frightful Accident.
Falls From the N. & st. L. Excursion
Train Near WaterviIIe and Is
Run Over.

The Minneapolis & St. Louis Sun
day excursion to Lake Minnetenka
Sunday had sad ending. Geo.
Wagon, of this city, fell from the
baggage car at about $50 O'Clock last
evening when the train was about
two miles north of Waterwille, and
fell with his feet across the track.
The wheels Of the rapidly moving car
passed over his feet, mangling them
so badly that amputation was neces-
sary.
Mr.. Wagon was on duty in the bag
gage car, but his wife had accom-
panied him on the excursion and was
on the train at the time. The re-
ports as to how the accident happen
ed are, somewhat conflicting. One is
to the effect that he had hold of a
rod at the side of the door. which
gave away by trunk falling against
it, causing him to lose his balance.
Another that he was leaning against
the side door, which was partially
open, when it slid back, precipitating
him to the ground. Those in
the car saw Mr.. Wagon fall out, but
the train was not stopped, nor did it
go back after reaching Waterville,
but continued on to this city. 1t was
not until the train had reached
Madison Lake that the extent of
Mr.. Wagons injuries were
known. The conductor telegraphed
from there to WaterviIle for particu-
lars, and while he was thus engaged
the train pulled out without him and
was obliged to return to the station
for him. Considerable indignation
was expressed by passengers over the
fact that the train was not stopped
at once, when the accident occurred,
to pick up the wounded man and take
him to Waterville or Mankato.
When the train left WaterYille, the
trainmaster left it and procured q
hand car and the assistance of some
section hands and went back to the
point where Mr.. Wagon fell from the
train. He was found lying beside the
track and was removed to Waterville,
where he was placed under the care
of surgeon. It was found necessary
to amputate the feet, and this was
done during the evening, four
inches above the ankles. The
operation was concluded at 11:3O p.
m. Mr.. Wagon was getting along
nicely Monday, sleeping some of the
time, but up to the middle of the
forenoon had not learned the extent
of his injuries, thinking that only his
toes had been amputated. 1t is
thought that it will be two weeks be
fore he can be removed to his home
in this city.
Monday morning Mr.. Wagons wife
and mother and two Of his brothers,
Chief Wagon and Herman Wagon,
went to Waterville to do what they
could for the sufferer. Mr.. Wagon
was reported Monday as getting along
as well as could be expected. His in
juries, although not of a necessarily
dangerous nature, are very severe,
and he is deserving of the sympathy
of all, which is being generously ex-
tended to him in his affection,
Mr.. Wagon has been employed as
baggage man at the M. & st, L. depot
for many years, and is faithful and
hard working employe. He is well
known in the city, having grown to
manhood here, and his misfortune
has attracted very general interest
The conductor of the train was
Mr.. Jones, who has run on the main
line, and Sundays trip was his first
one to Mankato.
Mr.. Wagons wife remains with
him at Waterville, but his mother
and two brothers returned Monday
noon. His mother went to Water
vile again Tuesday. His account
of the accident is that he was in the
baggage car when the train was ap
preaching Waterville. A bicycle had
been checked for that station and he
took it down from the hook and
placed it beside the door. He then
opened the door to see how far the
train was from the town, taking hold
of the bar above the door that is used
for this purpose. The train just then
gave a lurch and his weight was
thrown on the bar. which gave way.
The fastenings Of the bar pulled out,
and the bar went out of the door with
him. He fell on his face, with his
feet on the track
No fears as to the outcome are en-
tertained by the Waterville
physicians.
Judge Wilson has issued letters
testamentary In the estate of Marinm
PurrieT; and made, an order confirm
ing the sale of real estate in the mat
ter of the guardianship Of Otto and