The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-01-30
JUMPED FROM
MOVING TRAIN
Young EngIishman Y as Killed
in Territory Last October.
HIS IDENTITY UNKNOWN
Coroner McCoIIister Has Let
ter That May Clear 1t u p.
HIS IDENTITY UNKNOWN

On October e last the Eagle contained
the following dispatch from Ponca City:
Information has reached this city
that as the southhouad freight was pass
ing over the bridge across Salt Fork a
young man was seen 10 leap from the top
Of one of the box cars. in an apparent
endeavor 10 reach the south bank. but
failed in the attempt and fell into the
river. 1t is supposed that he struck
rock or some hard substance and became
irsensi5Is, as he Eas not sseR By the
train crew TO rise again. II was after
ward learned that the attempt was made
on d bet With a companion that he could
jump TO the bank. long distance. think
ing the rapid motion of the train would
aid him in landing safely. The body
was shortly afterwards recovered. and IN
his pocket were papers which prove him
10 be the nephey of Earl Lonsdale. a
well known English military officer, and
also letters from a London Law firm, re-
questing him 10 return and claim large
fortune to which ne had fallen heir. He
had soldiers discharge. showing that
he had served with distinction in the
British cavalry In India and Africa, but
he had spoiled an otherwise brilliant
career by his Maynard and reckless dis
position
Yesterday Coroner McCoIlister received
a letter relating 20 the identify OF this
man. 1t is possible that the young man
killed near Ponca City is the same person
Harold Rae Moss. the author Of the let
ter, is trying TO locate. The name of
the young man who Jumped from the
train acvross Salt Fork was never pub
iShed, and ii is said that the authorities
charge papers being his correct name.
From mis- appearance as given in various
articles published at that time the young
man was a we'll bred Englishman, and
gave every evidence that he was d mem
Der of the highest families in England
The bedy was inferred ia PeAcs City,
but the papers found on his person were
preserved and some attempts have been
made TO clear I'D his tdeG4fy but with
on t>ucress.
AS the article was published under a
at San Mateo naturally thought the
Wichita officers had something TO do in
the case. The letter received by Crner
McCollister is as follows:
Coroner. Wichita Kan.
Dear Sir: During the month of October
last | observed. in the San Francisco
Chronicle. a brief article dated Wichita.
Kansas, reldllng 10 the Qedtn OF a young
Englishman. name not given. He was
killed by jumping from the top of a
freight train while crossing, if I remem-
Der rightly. the Salt river, in Oklahoma.
Various circumstances, such as his being
of excellent family in England. aud well
connected, and of having served in the
English army as we'll as of then being
on his way home to attend TO certain leg
acies. lead me to identify this unknown
person with my friend. the Hon. Charles
tombstone Of ShAndon. Dumbartoashire,
Scotland. Various inquiries addressed to
the British consuls general at San Fran
cisco and Chicago. and to addresses in
London and Scotland, have Yet been
unsatisfactory in establishing this iden-
tity or in elicting any information as to
the whereabouts Of my friend. Mr.. John
stone. l therefore address myself TO you
for any information you may be able to
give. Very respectfully.
HAROLD RAE MOSS.
Gan Mateo, California, January the
twenty-fourth. nineteen hundred and
three"