The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-31
TRAIN RUNS OVER HIM
James Phillips Killed on Wich-
ita and Western Track.
DIDN'T HEAR THE WHISTLE
CoronOf's Jury Finds Death
Was Not FeIoniouS.
DIDN'T HEAR THE WHISTLE

James Phillips was run down yesterday
and killed while walking on the Wichita
ara Western railroad track. He left his
home about $3.50 TO go down town and,
living just below the track on South En-
poria avenue. turned west on the track tc
go 10 Main street, where he had but 8
few moments before his death told his
wife he would take a car to go up town
As he was crossing at Main street the
westIbound train that is due TO leave the
depot at 9;45 a. m, came along and struck
him from behind, the front wheels passing
over his body and crushing mis- life out
almost instantaneously. The engineer
must have seen the man on the track, as
a number of witnesses testified that the
engines whistle was blown several times
in quick succession. But Phillips kept on
his way, walking in the middle OF the
track, evidently unaware that the train
was approaching. The morning being
very cold and the wind blowing a. gale,
Phillips was muffied up, with ear-laps
drawn down closely over his ears to pro-
tect him from the cold blast, which must
have deadened his sense Of hearing. No
other conclusion could be inteIigently
drawn by the many friends who have
conversed about the terrible accident all
day yesterday
The train stopped some distance from
where the man was struck and many
willing hands rushed to the scene and
to +.l~ Tb.a
der the forward truck Of the engine. 1t
was found that Phillips body was but a
mass Of mangled flesh and bone. The
sight was made more affecting by the
presence Of a pet bird dog which belong
ed to the dead man and which had fol-
lowed his master from his home. The
dog had escaped the fate Of his owner,
hut came up g. moment after the train
had stopped, and when the remains were
removed from under the engine rushed
10 his side and began licking his hand
and face, stopping only to look up into the
faces Of those standing around and act
ing as If he knew something had hap
pened to his master, who had on so many
occasions mad, hunting expeditions to-
gether with him. The sight was one that
viii long be remembered by those who
were witnesses to the scene. The train
went on Its way and some one hunted up
a telephone and sent word to the police
station. The ambulance went to the scene
of the accident and brought the remains
10 Dunbar's undertaking estaGoli shment,
where an inquest was held and adjourned
until the afternoon TO the Office Of Judge
Glenn, when the witnesses were summon
ed and the investigation conducted by
Assistant County Attorney James Comfy,
which brought out a few more of the par
ticIlars in the case. The coroner's jury
was composed of II. Mccullough, Lee
Stearns, J. S. Becfwith, W. D. Chain,
Joshua Moore and Or. J. II. Fordyce.
The first witness sworn was O. II. Bill
linger Of 9O2 South Lawrence avenue, who
testified that he knew James Phillips
He was attracted to the scene first by the
blowing OF the whistle on the engine. He
got to the scene OF the acc-0ent shortly
after the train had stopped and helped to
remove the body from under the engine.
He also testified as to the condition in
which the body was found and its location
under the engine.
The next witness was J. s Whitaker.
who resides at 800 South Wichita street
He testified to seeing Phillips walking
west on the track, heard the whistle
blow. He couldn't tell how fast the train
was moving, as it was coming toward
him. He saw the engine strike Phillips
and saw him fall backward, and then
seem 10 get his foot down under the front
OF the engine and roll up out Of sight.
He testified that the accident happened
on the track between Lawrence and Main
z. few minutes before 10 O'clock. He said
the engine seemed to carry the man ten
or fifteen feet. He also stated that the
train stopped about forty feet east of
Main street TO which point the body Of
Phillips was dragged.
The third witness called was Albert
Brown, living at $50 South Lawrence. He
testified that the first whistle blew be
tween Market and Lawrence. The train
was going fast. about ten miles an hour
He tried to keep u with it on a run be
hind after the train passed but was left
far in the rear. He said he could see
plainly all the way to the bridge, several
blocks beyond.
J. F. Wright also testified to about the
same as the others, as did D. W More
house.
The Jury then retired TO deliberate on
verdict, after receiving instructions from
Acting Coroner Glenn Many questions
bearing on important facts in the case
were put TO the witnesses by Attorney
Comfy.
The coroner's jury viewed the remains
IN the forenoon. and Dr. Fordyce found
the following wounds and fractures on
the body Of Phillips; Cur over right eve
and nose, large cut on right eide Of head.
riEht arm broken above wrist and elbow.
left arm broken between wrist and elbow,
ead at wrist. right ieg split open from nip
70 knee. bones broken AMI crushed IN
right leg. left foot crushed from middle Of
foot down 10 toes, neck broken. back bad
y bruised and body otherwise terribly
mangled.
The verdict NJ the jury was as follows:
State Of Kansas. County of SejEwick. $:
An irQUisltion holden at the Office OF the
Ec-inE coroner in Se5gNick county. on the
s0th DAY Of January. 1929 before me, \. A