Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-02-17
STRUCK BY TRAIN
James Morrison, OF ReynoIds,
Meets Death in Rock
Island.
DIES NEAR HOSPITAL DOOR
Steps i'm Front of Engine on MERGE
County Branch Near Fourth
Street

Standing on the running board of
the engine of the Rock Islands Mer-
Ger county TRAN yesterday afternoon,
John Saunders, . brakeman, made "a
cue James Morrison of Reynolds, a sec
ton foreman who had accidentally
stepped onto the track in front of the
approaching train. Mr. Saunders was
liable to save Mr.. Morrison from being
struck by the pilot of the engine. and
the engineer. Eugene McAuliffe. of this
city. though he had thrown on the
emergency brake and reversed the en-
CINE. was unable 10 stop the train in
time 10 prevent Il fatality Mr.. Morri
son was struck and fatally injured.
death resulting just as the ambulance,
in which he was being removed. reach
ed St Anthony's hospital. The acct
dent occurred yesterday afternoon
shortly after 5 O'Clock near Fourth
street.
Haste the Cause.
Mr.. Morrison, with a section crew,
had been engaged during the day in
y
afternoon train, which is due out Of
Rock Island at $3.50. was to stop and
pick up the men who reside at Rey
nolds. The train yesterday was late,
and did not leave the depot at Twenti-
eth street until nearly 5 O'Clock. AS
Mr.. Morrison saw the train approach
ing he motioned to the three men in
the car to get ready to leave, and hur-
riedly picking up his dinner pail and
coat. started down the track. He was
putting on his coat as he walked along
the track. and seemed to have difficulty
in getting the coat on. In his haste he
accidentally stepped onto the track in
front of the train. which was then only
a very short distance behind him En-
gineer McAuliffe, who had the engine
under control. preparatory to making
Il stop short distance ahead. imme-
diately threw on the brakes and re
vCrscd the engine.
Dies i'm Ambulance.
John Saunders. the brakeman. who |
was in the engine cab at the time. ran
out on the running board. and attempt |
ed to rescue the section foreman. The |
train was stopped within few car
lengths. and Mr.. Morrison was at once !
removed to St Anthonys hospital. His |
left arm and left leg were fractured in |
several places. and his back injured. |
The remains were removed to the I
Knox undertaking establishment.
where Coroner l.. V. Eckhart conduct
ed an inquest this morning at 1880.
The jury returned an open verdict.
assigning the cause of death as inju-
res received by being struck by |
Rock Island engine. The testimony of
he train crew. including Eugene
NcAuliffe. Fireman Ernest Pallas,
Brakeman John Saunders. Conductor
Joseph Stephenson, and Charles
Holmes. Mac Burns. and Aaron Miilett,
members of the crew of which Mr..
Morrison was in charge, was heard by
he jury.
Long in Roads Service.
James Morrison was G3 years of age,
md had been employed by the Rock
sland in section work for about %
ears. having been foreman of the
REYNOLDS section for nearly 19 years.
lie was a native of Ireland, coming to
he United States about 35 years ago,
fter his marriage. For some time he
esided at Cambridge. removing to
reynolds when he was made foreman
f the section. He was member OF {
he Presbyterian church at Cambridge.
lie leaves a son. Joseph Morrison, OF q
eynolds. and two daughters, Miss
Iargaret Morrison at home, and Mrs.
'ssie Johnston, residing near Rey-
olds.
The remains were removed TO Rey-
olds this afternoon The funeral ar
lngements have not been completed,
ut it is probable that burial will take