Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-28
NET TRAGIC DEATH.
John Eakins Has Body Severed by
Milwaukee Train.
PASSED AWAY FOUR HOURS LATER

Tragic Accident at Brompton Small
Station One Mile West OF Foster
Was Thrown Under Wheels While
Attempting to Board Train.
From Mondays Daily.
While attempting to board a Mil
Waukee freight train yesterday morn
ing at Brompton, John Eallins, South
Ottumwa young man, missed his foot.
ing and fell beneath the cars, the
wheels severing both legs from his
body at the thighs. The victim of the
tragic accident was brought to this
city and was taken to the Ottumwa
hospital where he died at / p. m.
yesterday The deceased was the son
of Mr.. and Mrs. B. F. Eal1ins, SIG Wa
bash avenue. and ran away from home
three weeks ago, going to Kansas City
in search of work. He was on his way
home when he met his death, his par
ents having heard nothing from him
until the news of the fatality was told
them.
Was Tragic Affair.
John Eakins was IL years of age and
was employed at the plant of the Dain
Manufacturing Co. until three weeks
ago, when he left home, telling his
parents nothing of his intentions He
told his brother, however, just before
leaving that he was going to Kansas
City in search of work He was on his
way home yesterday and was stealing
ride on a Milwaukee freight train
He was ordered off at Foster and then
walked one mile to Brompton and wait.
ed for another train About a. m
train No. Ga, in charge of Conductor
Steipbeck, passed through Brompton
on its way to Ottumwa, and it was in
attempting to board this train that the
horrible accident occurred.
Body Severed by Wheels.
The trainmen were unaware of the
tragic accident until the rear freight
cars and the caboose had passed over
the body of the young man, when they
were horror stricken to see the body
severed by the wheels lying beside the
track. The train was Immediately
stopped, and the trainmen bound the
injuries as best they could. The train
bearing the dying young man was
then hurried through to Ottumwa. The
news of the tragic accident had been
telegraphed to Ottumwa. and the am
bulance was summoned to be in readi.
ness to take the body at once to the
hospital upon it's arrival. Drs. S. A.
Spilman and A. o. Williams were also
in attendance. but they soon saw that
medical assistance would not avail to
save the life of the injured young man
Died at I p. m. in Hospital.
From 1890 a. M until his death a
1 D. m the young man remained con-
scious, conversing with his sorrow
stricken parents.
He complained of no pain, SO great
was the shock to his system. He laps
ed into an unconscious state a few
minutes before his death and it was
while in this state that death came
His end was peaceful and he passed
away with smile on his lips for his
parents, his brother, Charles, and his
little sister, Ila, who were gathered at
his bedside. grief-stricken and stunned
by the tragic death which had befallen
their late son and brother.
deceased was FaVCFIIS.
The deceased was fayorite with all
who knew him. He was little more
than boy, and had never been away
from his home before. He was en-
ployed for some time at the plant Of
the Hardsocg Manufacturing Co.. but
had been working at the Dain works
for few months before taking the ia
tai trip. 1t was while working at the
latter place that he decided to go tt
Kansas City He had talked with some
of the employees who had previously
worked in that city and was attracted
with the possibility of securing more
lucrative employment there He wa.
unsuccessful in securing employment
however, and was returning to his par
ents when the fatal accident occurred
Funeral to Be Tomorrow.
To the grief-stricken parents ant
brother and sister of the young mar
the sympathy of the community is ex
tended The funeral sevices will bt
held at the family residence tomorrow
afternoon at 2 O'Clock and will be con
Quoted by Rev d. D. Davies, pastor o
the Second Congregational church. as
sisted by Rev S. /. Elder, of the Davis
street Christian church. The remains
will be laid away in the Ottumwa Gem
etery.