The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1913-01-28
Pedestrian k1ledOn
Northwestern Track
Body of Christ. Larson Literally
Ground to Pieces Near
Sleepy Eye
TWO TRAINS PASS OVER BODY
Badly Intoxicated, The Man Lies
Down on Track and Horrible Ac-
cident Follows
No TRAINS PASS OVER BODY

One of the most appalling accidents
which ever occurred in Brown county
was staged on the Northwestern right
of-way, about four and one-half miles
west of Sleepy Eye, shortly after 6
o'clock last Tuesday evening, when
the body of Christ. Larson, farm la
borer aged about 55, was literally
ground to pieces by two trains, un-
noticed by either of the train crews.
There were no eye witnesses to this
horrible tragedy, but it is surmised
that Larson had imbibed too freely
and on his way back to the Rasmus
Peterson farm, which is located about
four miles west of Evan, where he
had been employed for the past few
weeks, he sat down on the railroad
track and went to sleep.
Blood on Pilot First Clue
Engineer G. H. Webb and Fireman
NJ. E. Porter, of the train on the Red
wood branch, say that they did not
notice having passed over any OBJ
struction on the track, and the first
clue to the appalling accident was
found when the engine pulled into the
round house at Sleepy Eye, where it
was seen that the pilot of the engine
was spattered with blood and particles
of flesh. This train pulled into Sleepy
Eye at 6:12 p. M, having left Evan
at $50 p. m.
Two Trains Pass Over Body
When the mixed train of the Mar
shall branch stopped at the Sleepy
Eye station, the same conditions were
noted on the engine pilot. Realizing
that an accident must have happened,
Engineer Webb and the section fore
man at Sleepy Eye boarded a hand
car and, taking a quilt and lanterns
along, moved slowly along the track
until they came to the spot where the
largest pieces of Larson's body were
discernible in the dim light of the
lanterns.
Picked Up the Pieces y.
The two men gathered up the scat
tered remains as best they could and
wrapped them up into the quilt, which
they brought back to Sleepy Eye and
turned over to Undertaken Aug. L.
Matter. Coroner Dr. G. F. Reineke,
of this city, was Immediately tele-,
graphed for and went to Sleepy Eye
in his auto Wednesday morning. He
rode out to the scene of the accident
with the section foreman and sue
ceeded in finding particles Of the body.
After taking the testimony from the
railroad employees, Coroner Reineke
ordered the remains to be buried at
the county's expense, deeming an in
quest not necessary. y
Larson Walked to Sleepy Eye .
1t appears from the facts CLEANED
by Coroner Reineke, that Larson, who
came to this country only few years
ago, intended taking the afternoon
train for Sleepy Eye from Evan, but
reached the depot at the latter sta
ton after the passenger had departed.
| Thereupon Larson walked along the
railroad right-of-way to Sleepy Eye,
where he purchased some underwear
and new pipe stem for himself, as
well as some harness snaps for his
employer. These articles, together
with list of other items that he was
to purchase, were found near the re-
mains and lead to the Identification,
which at first was very mystifying.
owing to the condition of the body.
Drank Beer and Bought Alcohol
While at Sleepy Eye, Larson en-
tered one of the saloons, drank few
glasses of beer and bought two pint
bottles of alcohol, taking the latter
along with him. As the coroner was
able to find the neck of one bottle on
ly, it is believed that he drained the
other flask and threw it away before
he reached the fatal spot.
No Relatives in America
Larson was not known to have any
relatives living in this country, and
as he told no one of his past life or
where he came from, the authorities
are at a loss to ascertain any facts
about his family connections across
the sea. He was good workman, but
addicted to the liquor habit and was in
the habit of squandering all his money
for booze.