The San Francisco call., 1908-08-03
Young Baker Is Run Down on
Alameda Mole and Foul
Play Is Suspected
Body Shows Evidence of Prior
Wounds and Police Start
Investigation
Youth Had Much Money With
Him, but Only Pocket
Change When Found

OAKLAND, Aug. z.-While the
body Of Richard Krabel, a young
baker Of Alameda, lies in the Oak
land nOrgue after having been run
over by the first westbound Alameda
train on the Alameda mole service
early this morning the police are con-
Quoting an investigation to ascertain
whether the man was waylaid In the
night and cast upon the railroad tracks
when he had been beaten unconscious.
Engineer Robert Reed, who was in
charge OF the first train to travel over
the tracks. and which severed Krabel's
left leg. reported 10 the police this af-
ternoon that he believed from marks Of
violence on the young mans face that
a crime had been committed.
He said the body had been dragged
for q short distance by the engine, but
that Krabel was dead when he was
reached by the train crew. It is
thought Improbable BY the police that
the injuries inflicted by the locomotive
could have resulted fatally so quickly.
FINDS BODY IN MARSH
The body when first seen by Reed
was lying 10 the left OF the tracks and
close up TO high wall Of the United
engineering works which are located
zoo feet 10 the east OF Webster street,
and across an uneven stretch OF marsh
land
one leg OF the young Alamedan laid
across the rail. as Il he had attempted
70 drag himself of the tracks and had
become unconscious. The clothing, ac-
cording 70 the engineer. was covered
with dust Of a dull gray color which
was filled into the tracks This made
4 impossible for the body TO be seen
until too late 70 stop the engine
Il was well known TO Krabers friends
that he was accustomed 10 walk home
from Oakland when he missed the last
car He came 70 this city yesterday
evening with considerable money In his
pockets. most Of IL collections he had
made from his customers in a bakery
and confectionery business at Sherman
street and Lincoln avenue. Alameda.
When Deputy Coroner Sargent took
charge OF the remains he found hra-
befs watch on the body. but there was
only 81 in small change left on his per-
son Krabels father is certain his son
had considerable money when he left
FOR Oakland.
In attempting to trace the move
ments Of Krabel before he reached the
Alameda marshes the authorities have
learned that he left several compan-
ions at Fourteenth street and Broad
way at 2 o'clock this morning to begin
his lonely walk through the mud fats
The road which he was accustomed to
follow. the Alameda extension OF Web
ster street, runs 200 feet TO the west
OF the spot where KrabeI was found
His familiarity with that section Of
Alameda makes IL doubtful whether he
could have lost his way Following the
information given by Engineer Reed,
the police are working on the theory
that KraSel was wayiaid on the
tracks.
The suspicious marks which Engi-
neer Reed noticed on the body after II
had been run over were a bruise Of
the left eye. supposed 20 have been
inflicted before death. and cuts and
abrasions Of the face. On the back
were bruises and abrasions, showing
that Krabel was dragged on his back
The cuts IA the face appeared older
than the minor injuries due to his
being dragged over the soil al the
side OF the tracks.
Krabel was a native of Germany, %
years old. he had lived in Alameda
10 years and the last few years he
spent IN conducting q bakery and con-
fectionery business with his father.
Ferdinand Krabel. above which they
lived he was engaged TO be married
10 Miss Bertha Fisher. living al 1892
Sherman street Alameda