The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1906-10-12
NAN GROUND 70 PIECES
JOSEPH ROBERTS, NORTHWEST.
ERN SWlTCHMAN, KILLED.
HIS BODY MANGLeD BY WHEELS

tempted to Step Upon the Pilot Of
an Enqine, Switchman Fell in Front
of Car Wheels and Was Mutilated.
A horrible death was melted out to
a Norfolk railroad switchman beneath
the wheels of three cars early today.
AS a result of attempting to step upon
the pilot of an ordinary road locomo-
tive, which was being used for night
switching in the Northwestern yards,
Joseph Roberts, man about twenty
five years of age, who had been in the
service only since last spring, missed
his footing, fell under the train
wheels and was literally ground to
pieces by the string of three cars
that passed over his body. His trunk
was cut in two across the chest,
leaving the shoulders and head in one
part and the lower limbs in another.
His left arm was cut off, his right hand
was cut off and one foot amputated.
Parts of his body, such as a thumb or
foot, were picked mp from the track
where they lay, separated from the
rest of the dead mans form, after he
had been mutilated by the train
wheels.
Happened Early This Morning.
The accident, which adds another
name to the long list of tragic deaths
that have occurred in Norfolk during
the past summer, happened at $50
o'clock this morning in the western eX-
tremity of the Northwestern switch
ing yards, near Thirteenth street
The engine being used for the night
switching is road engine with the
regular pilot or "cowcatcher" at the
front end, instead of the step or foot
board used on regular switching en-
gines.
The engine was followed by three
cars and was backing west. Roberts
had made coupling and was about to
step up on the pilot of the engine, to
ride to the next switch. He stepped
between the engine and the car at
tached to it and must have slipped on
the pilot rods, falling down between
the engine and car and then being
engine was hauling.
When the engine arrived at the next
switch, where Roberts was expected
to turn a lock- the enginemen missed
him and investigated, finding his man
gled body.
1t was a grewsome sight that met
their eyes. Alongside the track was
the mans cob pipe, mashed to bits
On one side of the track lay shoe
inclosing one of his severed feet, anc
in the dust was a thumb that had beer
cut from one of the amputated hands
The remains of the dead man were
| brought to the undertaking rooms o.
Sessions & Bell, in car, later in The
morning.
Roberts Formerly Drayman.
Until last spring Roberts was dray
man in Norfolk having been employed
by the Gund brewing company at ont
time and another time for the Richie!
dray line.
His home is on South Second street
He leaves a widow and a child.
Sad Feature Of Tragedy.
A sad feature of the tragedy whicl
cost the life of Joseph d. Roberts i
the fact that Mrs. Roberts, while tn
mother Of but one child, is in exceed
ingly delicate condition and little abb
to sustain so severe a shock.
Mrs. Roberts is the daughter OF MI
and Mrs. Daniels who live betwee1
Battle Creek and Meadow Grove.
The family has lived in Norfolk tw
years or more. Mr.. Roberts was
steady, industricu 0rkman.
He was last se~- when he steppe
between the engine and car to Ut
: couple the connection, in order I
J make Hy-switch,