Omaha daily bee., 1899-06-22
YOUNG NAN LOSES HIS HEAD
Cut from His Shoulders by Union Pacific
Railroad Train.
ACCIDENT OCCURS At SHELLY STATION
James Ostrnn, Attempting to Beat His
Way to Lincoln, is killed While
Attempting to Board
a Train.

Two Pollocks. returning Wednesday even
ing from work on the section, through the
Union Pacific railroad yards at Sheely,
stumbled across the decapitated body Of
man outstretched upon the track. 1t was
the body OF James Ostran of Lincoln,
young man who had been travelling through
northern Nebraska and South Dakota, can
vassing. He was killed while trying to
board a moving freight train bound for
his home.
The Pollocks made the grewsome discov-
cry at S45 o'clock. A few minutes later
the yardmaster was notified and the coroner
was then sent for. Awaiting his arrival
switch engine and its crew were stationed
at the place where the body lay to guard
1t from ghouls as the yards are infested
by tramps at night time, and the railroad
men feared that the unfortunates posses
sions, II he had any, might be stolen.
The parabola of light from the locomo-
tive's headlight shone upon a CHASTITY scene.
I Between the rails glistening with the rain,
/ lay the body. The head and left arm had
( fallen across one Of the rails and had been
severed as cleanly by the wheels of the
train as II cut by the keen edge OF a sur
geons knife. The clothing was torn to
shreds and bits of it were strewn along
the track for many yards. In the circle
of light a group Of men with upturned coat
collars stood gaping, unmindful of the
drenching rain.
In Ostran's pockets a letter was found
that indicated his itinerary. 1t was from
his sister. Mrs. Lottie NJ. Hursh of West
Lincoln. having been written May q. 1t
was directed to Crawford and had been
forwarded from there to Hot Springs and
afterward to Chadron. Valentine and AL
bion There was also a letter which he had
written in reply but had neglected to mail
1t was dated at Albion and told OF Ostran'
intention to spend the Fourth OF July al
home Lincoln and his hope of being able
to save enough money to buy new sui
and have $40 reserve in his pockets.
From the letter written by the sister
! Mrs. Hursh it is evident that she is ar
employe of Herpolsheimers department
store. Ostrans reply was dated June l
} From Albion he went to Columbus ant
; then came here, having reached the cit!
this morning. He was seen several time
: during the afternoon by the railroad mel
/ waiting to catch the freight train tha
passes Lincoln on the main line OF tn
Union Pacific.
5 This train is known at No. 81 and
t leaves Sheely at $40 o'clock. Before
] drew out of the station Ostran was seen b
{: some boys who were walking along tn
o., tracks, sitting in the door OF an empt
freight car, apparently waiting for tn
= train to leave. When 1t started, it passe
t between Ostran and the boys, shutting hiI
y out of view, but the last glimpse the lad
r had Of him he had jumped to the groun
k and was preparing to Chamber aboard III
train, which was then running at goo
g speed.
: In ostran's pockets there was only
,, cents in money, a fact that accounts fC
n his having been compelled to beat his wa
I; home. He was we'll dressed, having wor
n a brown derby hat, blue serge coat ar
II trousers of grey checked material. II
relatives were notified by wire OF the
1t cident.