Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-08-18
WILLIAM kLINK, OF MARION, MIL.
WAUkEE BRAKEMAN, LOSES
HIS LIFE.
RUN OVER BY A WORK TRAIN
Sat Down Upon Rails to Rest for a
Moment, 1t is Supposed, and Fell
AsIeep-Both Legs Cut off-A Bur-
ineton Mishap.

William Klink, Milwaukee brake
man residing at Marion, while asleep
upon the track about 12:45 o'clock
Thursday morning was run over by a
work train and injured so severely
that death occurred about five hours
later.
The accident occurred at Farson,
small station on the Milwaukee cut
off about IL miles from Ottumwa and
quite near to Competine. Klink was
a brakeman on a work train in charge
of Conductor James Head and it is
said that he had been on duty for
many hours and was worn out from
loss of sleep.
Klink was sent back a considerable
distance to tend to switch and, hav-
ing some time to wait, it is supposed
that he sat down upon the rails either
to rest or to tie a shoe string, which
was found to be loose when the
man was picked up by his fellow en-
ployes.
Fell Asleep Upon the Track.
At any rate 1t is supposed that he
fell asleep and that the train backed
upon him. He was run over by several
box cars. His left leg was cut off at
the knee and the right leg about two
or three inches above the knee. He
was picked up by the trainmen, his
legs bound up as well as possible, and
hurriedly brought to the Jefferson
street depot in Ottumwa, where the
ambulance was in waiting to carry
him to the hospital. He was attended
by Drs. S. A. Spilman, H. ]. Watson
and M. Bannister.
The injured man was found to be in
an extremely weak condition from the
loss, of blood. Everything possible was
done for him, but at $50 o'clock he
died and the remains were taken to
Daggett's undertaking parlors.
Employed but Two Months.
D. C. Klink, the father of the I'M
fortunate young man, arrived in the
city this morning shortly after his
sons death. Mr.. Klink states that
his son was % years of age and was
unmarried. He had been employed
upon the railroad only about two
months. Previous to that time he had
been engaged all his life as clerk in
a grocery store. His accepting employ
1ment on the railroad was against the
strong opposition of his father, who is
himself employed in the bridge and
building department of the Milwaukee.
Mr.. Klink will return on the Milwau-
kee this evening to his home at Mar
ion with his sons remains.
Accidents on the Burlington.
Chas. Casey and \. m. Richards, two
Burlington switchmen, were painfully
injured Thursday night in the local
yards by being struck by cross beam
on turn-table. Richards was not Sc
verely hurt and after a short time
continued at his work, while Casey
required medical attention and was
taken to his home, 1708 East Main
street.
Struck BY Cross Beam.
Casey and Richards were upon the
top of box car which was being push
ed down over the old turn-table about
1880 O'Clock last evening. They had
forgotten for the time that there was a
heavy cross beam over the turn-table
that had to be avoided, and as the car
passed under both were struck about
the head and shoulders. Richards was
struck in the mouth and knocked down
upon the car. His face was cut some
what and he bled considerably, but he
was not severely hurt, and he was soon
back at his work
Did Not Fare So Well.
Casey did not fare 80 we'll. He was
knocked down upon the car roof and
from there fell to the ground, striking
upon his shoulders and head. He had
considerable cash in the right cheek,
and number of cuts and bruises over
the face and shoulders. A physician
was called and gave the necessary
medical attention. Casey was removed
to his home, where he is resting COM
fortably. 1t is thought that he will be
at work in day or two.