The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-07-05
BODY THAT OF JOHN COLEMAN
A LABORER.
WAS TERRIBLY MANGLED
Supposed He Tried to Board a
Train-Deceased Had Brother
at Sheridan.
From Wednesdays Daily Gazette.

found in the Northern Pacific yards
yesterday morning at l o'clock was1
identified yesterday forenoon as that
Of John Coleman, a laborer.
The news OF the finding Of the body
as published in The Gazette yester-
day morning aroused the curiosity
Of many, who believed that they
might have known thegman in his life
time. At about 10/o'clock Under
taker Smith bpensd his establish
ment and a lirge humber were given
the opportunity 10 view the body in
the hopes Of someone being able to
recognize ahdYf identify it. Among
the number was Billy Gray, a bar
tender for w. A. Wells, who at a
glance recognized the face of John
Coleman, whom he had known for
years. The identification being com
plete, Coleman's brother, Jerry Cole
man, who is a freight conductor on
the Burlington with headquarters at
Sheridan, Wyo, was notified of the
particulars.
Coroner Chapple was out Of the
city when the accident was reported
and in his absence the county attor-
ney authorized Justice Fraser to i'm
panel a jury for the purpose of hold
ing an inquest. This was done by
the selection of w. B. Ten Eyck, ].
j.. Walk, Nick Klos, G. w. Forester,
John M. Ramsey and L.. H. Parker.
Soon after a message was received
from the coroner, who was at Miles
City, that the body should be held
until today, as he would return on
the night train. The was
then notified that a jury had been inn
panelled, but that his pleasure would
be awaited. Word was received
from him later in the day authorizing
the justice to proceed with the in
quest. At s o'clock the inquiry was
held in Justice Fraser's Office and
resulted in a verdict that the deceas-
ed came to his death by being run
over by a Northern Pacific train.
Coleman's brother will arrive in
the city this morning from Sheridan,
and no disposition of the remains
will be made until he has been con-
ferred with.
The body of Coleman was discov-
cred by MI. Roland, fireman on the
Northern Pacific switch engine. The
engine was running to the round
house for thes purpose of taking
water at about l o'clock, and when
it reached the switch Roland got
down off the engine to turn the
switch. AS he did so he discovered
the body. He made known the fact
to Jos. Lowry, the engineer, and they
Immediately notified the authorities
and the body was ordered removed
to the undertaking rooms. At that
time there were no means of identi-
flying the dead man as there was
nothing on the body that tended to
establish the mans identity.
The body when found was lying
between the rails, with the head,
which had been severed from the
shoulder blades, about ten feet away
outside the rails. The arms had
been crushed just above the wrists.
It is not hard to conjecture as to
how Coleman met his death. It If
thought that he attempted to board
the Burlington train in the hopes Of
Cumming his way to Omaha and
missing his foot hold fell. between
the wheels and was crushed to death
Only the day previous he was in sew
eral business places Of the city. He
visited jeff Davis barber shop a.
about $3.50 p. m. and was shaved ano
had a hair cut. At that time he
stated that he had been working OF
the Burlington grade, but the work
shutting down he was now looking
for another job. He also stated tha1
his name was Coleman and that hi
would like to get to Omaha for the
Fourth of July, as Their was to bt
a big time there, but would not b.
able to go, as his finances would no
permit.
To Mr.. Gray he stated that he in
tended to get out that night To-
Ohaha, and Mr.. Gray believes tina
he fell under the train while trying
to beat his way.
He was known to have been drink
ing that night.
Coleman was about 38 years of age
and of splendid physique.
Bring us your shoe repairing. Pos
office basement. 6-n y
ST. JOHNS COUGH CURE VII
c,aro uonr con1h Sold nv Chann1