The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-09
BOTH LEGS CUT Off
lorin Caldwell Falls Under a
Frisco Freight Train
WAS JUMPING ON AND OFF
Barely Missed Instant Death
Under the Wheels.

Lorin Caldwell, the 14-year-old son OF
Mr.. and Mrs. D. c. Caldwell, 242 Wabash
avenue, had both legs cut off just below
the knee at O'Clock yesterday after
noon by the Frisco accommodation
freight No 100, which was pulling in on
the Kansas Midland track. The accident
ACQUIRED near the crossing Of Central
avenue while the train crew were switch
ing. The boys brother-in-law, Mr.. z.
Cox, proprietor Of the Washington ave-
nue. hay barn, was on the train, and he
Immediately called an express wagon that
was near and took the boy to ST. Francis
hospital. 1t is not thought the boys in
juries viii prove fatal, although he has
been ruined for life
This terrible accident TO a healthy and
robust boy is another instance of the
foolishness and danger of jumping on and
off trains. practice which the railway
people have tried in every way possible to
stop, and which has been the subject Of
local legislation and strict regulation by
the police department of the city.
LoriR Caldwell was considered an adept
by the boys Of his class IN jumping on
and off trains. Yesterday he is said to
have been at the packing house and had
ridden d Rock Island train down to the
Central avenue crossing. There he was
put off by the train crew, and he and
Fred Harvey. a colored boy, were trying
to steal another ride. The Harvey boy
was afraid to jump the Rock Island train
because it was going too fast. He says
that the Caldwell boy tried to board the
front end Of the Rock Island caboose and
missing It caught the rear platform and
was thrown several feet He got UP out
Of the dirt and remarked to the colored
boy: This is the first time I was ever
thrown by a train" Then he ran across
10 the Midland track and began jumping
on and off the train as it was switching
The train was in charge Of Conductor
Charles Rowe and Engineer Harley. Both
these trainmen and the rear brakeman,
Higgins, warned the boys to keep away
from the train. The conductor IS said to
have driven the boys away, but the first
thing any Of them knew young Caldwell
had attempted to board one of the box
cars and, missing his hold, fell headlong
under the train. The wheels passed over
his legs Just below the knees. It was
a very narrow escape for the boys life.
His cry attracted the attention of his
colored boy chum, Fred Harvey, and the
train crew. who ran to his aid as quickly
as possible and pulled him out from I'M
der the train.
Mr.. W. o. VanArsdaIe, the banker at
Burton, had just left the coach and was
watching the train crew do their switch
ing. He had noticed the boys jumping on
and off the train and said he was just
thinking about what danger they were in
when he noticed the Caldwell boy fall
He said he had heard the conductor drive
the boys away from the train. and the
engineer and rear brakeman had repeat
edly warned them, but that only seemed
10 make them more reckless.
This accident adds another calamity to
the series that have visited the Caldwell
family in recent months, like ,vengeful
fate that is following them. First. it is
said. one of the sons suffered a sun
stroke which caused him to go insane
Next. the husband and father created a
sensation by disappearing suddenly one
night last winter, and his whereabouts
were not learned by his friends until the
next calamity happened the family. That
was the death of their son. Warren Glad
well, who, only two months ago. fell
from a window Of the Hacker and Jack
son block on East Douglas and was kill
ed. Now comes the youngest OF the boys.
juHt entering upon the responsible stage
Of life, hopelessly crippled and ruined in
an act of reckless and useless daring.
A report from the hospital late last
night was TO the effect that the boy was
resting comparatively easy, with only an
occasional complaint Of pain. He has not
said anything about his misfortune. It
was found necessary at the hospital 10
ampHtate an additional part Of each leg
in order TO get a smooth, uninjured bone
over which the flesh could heal correctly.
This leaves but very little Of the legs be
low the knees.