Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-12-29
MEET SUDDEN Emo
julius Linke and George Leslie
Killed on Milwaukee at
Port Byron.
COMPANION BARELY ESCAPES
Riding on Railway VeIocipede and Fog
Prevented Their Seeing APP
proach of Engine.

| julius Linke and George Leslie were
instantly killed and John Sullivan mar
rowly escaped with his life when a
Milwaukee freight train struck a rail
way velocipede on which the three men
were riding near Port Byron about II
O'Clock last night Linke was the well
known Port Byron jeweler and Leslie
was a section hand employed on the
Milwaukee road. Sullivan has been ir-
regularly employed by the railway
company. The home of all three is at
Port Byron
The men had spent the evening at
Rapids City, where they had gone to
make arrangements for a dance. They
were on their way home and were with
in three-quarters of a mile of Port By
ron when Sullivan, who was sitting
ahead, saw what he supposed was the
station semaphore at the village. The
night was haZy with a fog and the
noise of the car was sufficient to drown
the rumble of a train. When he look
ed again at the light, Sullivan saw to
his horror that it was the headlight of
an engine which was almost upon them
and coming at high speed.
Rolled Ont of Harms Way.
Without hesitating an instant, Sulli
van rolled off the vehicle to the side of
the track. The others neglected to
save themselves either because they
were momentarily dazed and did not
realize their danger, or because they
were crowded in such a manner that
it was impossible for them to jump.
Sullivan had scarcely struck the
ground when he heard the velocipede
crash against the locomotive and saw
indistinctly the fragments of the ma
chine and the bodies of his two COM
panions flying through the air.
When he recovered from the shock
sufficiently to pick himself up, he start
ed to search for the bodies of his
friends. A short distance away he
found Leslie, who gasped once or twice
and was dead.
Linke was not to be seen in the vi
cinity. and without searching further
Sullivan went to the home of Thomas
Allen, near by, and tefephoned for DR..
A. r. Beal at Moline. Returning with
Mr.. Allen, he went further down the
track, and about 200 feet from the
scene of the collision found the re-
mains.
Carried Pilot.
Linke appears to have alighted upon
the pilot and been carried to the point
where the body was found. When he
rolled off he fell under the wheels and |
was horribly ground up, his head be-
ing crushed, legs broken, and other in
juries inflicted. He was probably in
stantly killed by the impact when first
struck.
The bodies were removed to the I'M
dertaking rooms at Port Byron and
Coroner Eckhart notified. The inquest
was held this morning, the verdict be-
ing rendered in accordance with the
facts as herein set forth.
Linke was so years of age and we'll
known throughout the upper end of /,
he county. But a few weeks ago he
was given the Black Cross degree by L
Rock Island commandery, knights
Templar His funeral will be held to-
morrow afternoon at 2:30 at the Con-
church at Port Byron. The ;
Port Byron Masonic lodge, assisted by
Rock Island chapter, will be in charge.
special train for the accommodation
If members of the local body will leave
he Milwaukee station here at 80 in
he afternoon.
Supported widowed Mother.
Leslie was So years of age and sup
ported his widowed mother. His fu
leral will also be held tomorrow.
Sullivan was slightly injured in his
all from the velocipede. sustaining a L
lumber of cuts and bruises.