The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-08-19
GROUND TO DEATH
Charles PIummer Killed by a
Freight Car
I'M SANTA FE YARDS
Was Trying to Jump on a
Train.

Charley Plummer, the u-year-old son
of w. W. Plummer, was ground to death
under the wheels Of a Santa Fe freight
train at the Lincoln street crossing while
attempting to board the train at that
place. Death was instantaneous.
Such a death is terrible to contemplate,
but the accident occurred in such a short
time that the boy could not have suf-
fered any pain. The wheels struck his
body on the right side near the waist
and passed over the abdomen diagonally,
completely severing the right limb from
the body. The entire train passed over
the body, as it was running az such a
rate of speed that it was impossible to
stop it before some distance had been
passed.
When the body was picked up it lay a
few feet west Of the rail, with the sew
cred limb in the middle Of the track The
body was taken to Gilrs undertaking es-
adjustment where it was prepared for
burial.
Charley Plummer, together with his
younger brother, had been in the habit of
coming up town every afternoon from
their home at 1918 South Washington ave
nue.. They usually started away from
home about o'clock and would return
about z Yesterday afternoon Charley
asked his brother TO get ready to leave
the home about 2 o'clock, saying that he
wanted TO get up town early. The brother
replied that he did not care to go up so
early in the afternoon as it was so warm.
The boy Charley said that he would wait
for him and started off alone after hay
ing made some excuse to his mother
about wanting to get up town early.
As he came toward the main part Of
town he walked over into the railroad
yards and saw a Santa Fe freight COM
ing, some distance away. He waited near
the track on the Lincoln street crossing
and despite the fact that the freight
train was running at a considerable
speed tried to swing on to the steps Of
one Of the cars. His body was immedi-
ately lifted from the ground by the mo-
mentum Of the train and before the boy
could realize his danger he was thrown
under the wheels and ground TO death.
The police department was Immediately
ter the body.
The boy was barefooted and was wear
ing a checked shirt and a pair Of blue
overalls. He was a bright looking little
fellow and was well liked among his
playmates. He had been into mischief
several tiraes during the past few years
and had recently been released from the
reform school at Topeka. He was sent
there on the complaint of his parents
because Of the fact that he would not
stay at home and refused 10 obey their
instructions usually spending his time
in loaflng around the streets.
His stay at the reform school seemed
to benefit him, and although he had only
been here about four weeks his behavior,
according to the statements OF those who
had observed him, was above reproach.
He assisted around the home and when
It was convenient did little odd jobs for
the neighbors. He usually sold papers
on the streets and was one Of the sue
cessfuI newsboys because of his persist
ent manner.
The boy had attended the Emporia
Avenue NJ. Z. Sunday school since his
return from the reform school and, al
though he had attended before being sent
away, he was much more regular than
ever before.
The boys father, w. W. Plummer, is
a teamster and is usually on the streets
during the day doing odd jobs. He has
quite large family and has lived on
South Washington avenue for some time
The remains Of the boy were taken to
the home Of his grandfather, Z. T. Plum
mer, at 30l South Emporia avenue. where
1t viii be kept until Monday morning,
when the funeral win take place The
interment viii probably be made at Belle
PLANE. Kan, as several members Of the
Plummer family are buried there.
Coroner McCollister viewed the body
yesterday and empaneIled a jury which
viii meet on Monday morning. There
We're only one or two witnesses TO the
accident and these viii be called to give
their testm0ne before the jury.
There seems to be no blame attached to
any one, as the boy apparently attempted
TO get on the train Of his own accord. !
Those who knew him say that he had not /