Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-08-27
FAST TRAIN KILLS
TWO At kONIOUR
Clifford Atwood, 3-Year-old
Boy, and Parquali Zella, an
Italian, Run Down
zELLA TRAINED TO SAVE BOY
Italian Laborer Gives His Life in Ef-
fort to Save the Boy-Lad Son Of
Hotel LandIord-Both Hurled Sixty
eight Feet-zeIIa Leaves Fagri'y
ftaly.
Special to Tlmes-Republican.

Special to S-RepuDllCan.
Montour, Aug. 27.-Parqual Zella, a
poor track laborer in the employ of the
Northwestern railroad, lost his life
here In a brave but Intellectual attempt
to save the life of child. Clifford
Atwood, 3 years Of age. is the boy for
whom zella made his sacrifice, and
both were instantly killed by fast
freight train on the Northwestern.
The accident happened at $40
o'clock last evening, at the Main street
crossing of the Northwestern. Little
Clifford Atwood, in company with his
cousin, Myrtle Alexander, aged 1Os
years, Of Marshalltown, had been
across the tracks on an errand. In re-
turning they saw the train approach-
ing. but the older child thought they
could pass safely over. She warned
the boy to hurry and she herself got
safely off the tracks. The child was
too slow, or else became confused and
hesitated moment.
ZelIa's Brave Effort.
Zella. the Italian. was working with
a track gang at the crossing, and OBJ
served the danger Of the boy. With
out stopping to count the possible cost
to himself he jumped on the tracks
Just as the train swiftly approached
the crossing. and tried to hurl the child
to safety. He was too late. and both
were struck by the monster engine.
The train, which was an east-bound
fast freight, was running at speed OF
fifty miles an hour. Both Zella and the
boy were hurled to the other side OF the
street, a distance OF sixty-eight feet.
and both were almost instantly killed.
The back of the head of the boy was
crushed, and Zella's neck was broken
Neither body was mangled, the engine
hurting them clear Of the track.
Witnesses to the tragedy say that
Zella had succeeded in grasping young
Atwood in his arms and was ready to
spring from the track wheH the en-
rine struck them. The Alexander
child was missed by not more than two
feet.
Clifford Atwood is the son of Mr..
and Mrs. w. H. Atwood, who conduct
the Montour hotel. He was bright
little lad and his death has cast a gloom,
over the town. His companion, Myr-'
tie Alexander, is the daughter OF MT.
and Mrs. Joseph Alexander. OF Mar-
shalltoWn.
zelIa Leaves Family in italy.
Zella, whose brave sacrifice has Won
the commendation of every citizen, Is
a stranger here. From his companions
1t is learned that he has wife and
three children whom he left in Italy
until he could earn sufficient money to
bring them to this country. He was
36 years Of age.
An inquest is being conducted today
to determine whether or not the rail-
way company or it's employees are re-
sponsible for the double tragedy. The
accident occurred within the corporate
limits of the town and the speed OF the
train may make them liable. s
The funeral Of Clifford Atwood will
be held Thursday at 10 o'clock at
Chester Center.
Providing no one claims the body
of Zella, it is probable the public will
contribute literally to fund to give
him a fitting burial here. A movement
of this kind has already been started