Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-10-17
WAS 1T ACCIDENT
OR SUICIDE
An Unknown Man Hurled Into
Eternity by Wisconsin Central
Freight Bound for Marshfield,
Early Monday Morning.

was 1t suicide or accidental death:
This question. arising from the
mysterious killing of one William
Murphy, by a Wisconsin Central train
Monday morning short distance from
the city on the Marshtield divson, is
unanswered. On the face of the facts
presented it is quite probable that the
coroner'S jury will find accidental
death, but there are some indications
of suicide.
Who's Murphy?
This also is question that is agit-
ating the minds of many, and a care
fui inquiry is now being made by the
authorities, and it is quite probable
that more information may be received
before night. From the only evidence
obtainable-a Slip of paper found in the
pocket of the dead man upon which
was written the name William Muir
ply. Chicago, ILL.,, and the further
indication that this paper came from
an employment agency in that city
it is thought that the dead man was
sent out to some one in need of men
10y one of the many employment agen-
cles in Chicago.
Many people thronged the mOrgue
of j. Il. Ragan where the dead man
was taken Immediately after the
ceroner'S jury had viewed the remains,
ana while many who called, declare
that they have seen the dead man on
the streets of Grand Rapids, no one
is able to identify him. Chief of
Police Garihee is also of the opinion
that he had seen Murphy before, but
where, or under what circum stances
he is unable to state.
The story Of the accident, or suicide
which eyer it may be. is very indie
innate and vague. The freight train
which left this city Monday morning
on the Wisconsin Central about 1886
O'Clock is responsible for the death an6
as near as can be ascertained at this
time. the discovery was made by the
conductor. When the train was about
one mile from the city on its Way to
Marshfield, the engineer was taken
sick, and stopped the train for a mo-
ment. While doing this he called to
the conductor who came up to I'll
engine, and when he neared the loco
motive he discovered the feet and legs
of man sticking out from under it.
On closer investigation, it was found
that he had been caught by the brake
grip on the right shoulder, and that
his head was fastened into the machin-
cry in such a way that the skull
had been broken in several places,
and the chest stove in, probably from
dragging. How long he had been in
this position was not known, but TAX
ing all the circumstances into cons i'd
Grafton, it was quite probable that
was still warm.
While there may be nothing to the
suicide theory, those who have viewed
The remains noticed the tightness
with which the eyes are closed and
which they think indicates that he
saw danger, and NEARLY closed his
eyes tight as a man naturally would
who sees an unavoidable death. Also
the fact that he was caught at the
side, and not run over. they declare.
indicates that he evidently threw
hin sa. into the passing engine with
the purpose of killing himself.
The true facts will probably never
be known. as the only person who
could tell any of the circumstances,
is the dead man, and his lips have
forever been sealed, by instant dea th.
Justice Brown empanneled a coron-
er's jury and the remains were viewed
in the dark of the night.