The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-01-18
REYNOLDS SAW
DEATH PERIL BUT
COULDN'T ESCAPE
Witnesses Testify as to How
Undertaken Caught Foot
in Picket Fence.

John B. Reynolds, the funeral di-
rector whoses tragic death on the
track at the railroad station Saturday
afternoon shocked a large aequain-
lance, tried to escape his fate by
climbing over the picket fence that
separates the tracks. Failing, appar7
emily because of his age and weight,
to vault the pickets, he dropped back,
one foot wedged between the pickets,
as the train thundered upon him. BY
supreme effort he freed his foot, just
as the locomotive bore down upon,
him, spun him like a top between its
forward structure and the fence, then
rolled him upon the tracks and under
the wheels.
Graphic stories of the tragedy, re-
lated to- Coroner John ]. Phelan by
railroaders and other eyewitnesses,
brought out certain details of Rey-
nolds' sudden discovery of his peril
when he was unable to open the pick
ct gate which affords a shortcut be-
tween the two platforms
Mr.. Reynolds saw the train but
could not get the gate open. He then
tried to climb the fence but his age
and weight handicapped him. One of
his feet evidently became wedged be-
tween two top pickets as he endeav-
ored in vain to raise himself Then
as he got this foot free the electric
locomotive caught him
Caught by the rapidly moving train,
Adr. Reynolds still in a standing pos
ture, was whirled along the picket
fence for a distance of twenty feet or
more. Then it seemed he was drawn
under the wheels and a second later
rolled free of the train again
E1nglneer Gustave Amoinhmege APP
Piled emergency brakes and stopped
his train within its own length but
too late to help Mr.. Reynolds Fire.
man George D. Hurley and the en-
gineer said they did not sese the man
until they were directly upon him.
g e91 witnesses who testified before
the coroner yesterday were Joseph
Rucyer, driver for the Adams Ex-
press Co. Dan Cola, a porter at the
station and Policeman P. J. CorriEan.
Mr. Reynolds was in the best sense
OF the term a self-n1ade man Being
thrown upon his own resources when
boy, his desire to make the most of
life led, him to the First Methodist
church, of which he became a MEM
Der in his teens.
He was a keen observer, and readily
absorbed not only educational mat
ters and learning and business ways
but also the nob1er Qualities of Chris
tan manhood. These qualities soon
placed him in OFFICIAL position in the
church, and for many years he was a
| member of all it's highest governing
boards, and probably the\ most active
man in church affairs, his good <buS1-
ness judgment and his Christian ideals
making his invaluable At his death
he held the highest official position
! president of the board of trustees.
For Is years he was superintendent
of the Sunday school, which, under
| his supervision, grew from a small to a
large and influential organization.
His willingness to help others was
unlimited; indeed, he was sought for
as a, general adviser in family and per-
sona1 matters; and there are many
| homes where his counsel has brought
many blessings which are now in sad
! ness because of his loss.
Entering manhood, as he did, with
practically no schooling, his contact
! with people and his close observation
soon gave him such a knowledge of re-
Iigious and general matters that he
1 became forceful speaker; and his ell
oquent prayers at the mid-week prayer
meeting, at which he was always pres
erlt,t will be long remember
In his professional work as under
| taker for over rs years and in his
church activities he became one OF Inc
best known men in the community:
and his kindly voice in sorrow and
trouble, his sound advice to the erring
| and wavering, will long Hnger in the
hearts of his many friends.