The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-01-15
TRAGIC DEATH OF
c. n. HALBERSTADT
Well known West Main St.
Bakery Proprietor Crush
ed Beneath Wheels fof
Northwestern Train.
BODY TERRIBLY MANGLED
Accident Occurred at the Market Street
Crossing at Seven o'clock This Morn
ing and Details of it are shrouded
in Mystery.
BODY TERRIBLY MANGLED

Charles Halberstadt, aged 33 years
and one of the best known of the
younger business men of the city, was
instantly killed just before clock
this morning when he was struck by a
switch train on the North-W estern
Railway near the Market street cross
ing. The body was terribly mangled,
portions of it being dragged along the
track both north and south of the
crossing where the accident occurred.
The Waterman at the crossing de-
clared to the coroner that the gates
were down and it is believed that Hal
berstadt, hurrying to work at his bak
cry at 1872 West Main street, went I'M
der the gates and failed to see the
train backing up near the crossing.
The first that was reported of the
fatal accident was when a brakeman
discovered the leg of Halberstadt along
the track and this brought an investi-
cation which resulted in the finding of
the terribly mangled body.
Witness Clears Up Mystery.
The exact manner of the death of
Charles Halberstadt was partially
cleared up later in the morning when
M. E. Kennedy, 154 Congress street,
told how he had been just behind the
victim and while he did not see him
killed, he was able to throw a great
deal Of light on the solution of the
mystery.
Mr.. Kennedy declared that Halber-
stadt was struck by the last coach of
the south bound passenger train which
leaves Kenosha about six O'Clock. It
was about 5:45 this morning, he said,
when Halberstadt, about ten yards in
front of him, hurried across the tracks
in front of this train which was back
ing into position. Kennedy declared
it was still SO dark that he could not
see the accident and that he went on
because he thought the trainmen had
noticed it and were stopping the train,
The trainmen, however, knew moth
ing Of this accident and it is now pre-
snmed that Halberstadt S body was
thrown on the other track where it
was caught by the $50 south bound
train and carried several hundred feet
around the switching tY' before the
mutilated body was discovered.
Left Home Few Minutes Before.
Halberstadt had left his home at GIT
Market street only a few minutes be-
fore the fatal accident. He was in the
best of health and spirits and was
hurrying to get to his work at the
bakery as he said goodbye to his wife
and stepson. The body was identified
by one Of the railway men and mem
bers Of the family and Coroner 7. 7.
Parker were notified at once.
The tragic death Of Halberstadt came
as a terrible blow to the members of
his family A brother hurried to the
home on West Market street and in
formed the widow of the fatal accident.
Spent Entire Life in Kenosha.
Charles III. Halberstadt had been
connected with the business life of Ke-
nosha for many years. He was a son
of the late Henry Halbe-stadt, pioneer
baker of Kenosha. He was born in
Burlington, but he came to Kenosha
as a boy and as soon as he was old
enough to work, he became associated
| with his father in the operation of the
| bakery on West Main street. Later
he retired from the business after the
sale of the bakery to George Bicken,
but sometime later he purchased the
bakery and he had been very success
full in the management of it during the
past six years. He had taken an ac-
tive interest in the development of the
business district along West Main
street.
Besides his widow and his stepson he
is survived by his stepmother, Mrs.
Maggie Halberstadt; one sister, Miss
Margaret Halberstadt; and four broth
ers, Albert, Henry, George and Stephen
Halberstadt, all residents of Kenosha.