The Mena weekly star., 1921-05-05
AGED MAN KILLED
 BY K. C. s. TRAIN.
]. L. Hadiey of Oklahoma City, Lost Life When Walking on Bridge Over Two Mile Creek--Curve Blocked
 View of Engineer.

An aged man, believed to be J. L. Hadley of Oklahoma City, was struck and instantly killed by train No. on the Kansas City Southern at the bridge over Two Mile creek, south of Potter Monday afternoon. The force of the impact tore the unfortunate mans head from his body. The train was stopped and the lifeless remains were brought to Mena and taken to Frazier's parIors where preparations were made for burial.
 Justice S. H. Smith was notified of the killing and after viewing the re- mains and questioning members of the train crew, decided that an in- quest was not necessary. The body of the man will be held at Frazier's until positive Identification is made.
 According to the statement of En- gineer E. E. Giffen, who was piloting engine No. 809 on No. Monday af- ternoon, he did not see the man on the bridge until just fraction of time be- fore the engine struck This was due to the fact curve prevents a view of the bridge to enginemen coming from the south, until the bridge is almost reached. Engineer Giffen stated that when he first saw the man on the bridge it appeared to him the man was trying to either slide down be- tween the ties or get over the edge. The man was near the edge of the bridge when Engineer Giffen first saw him.
 From facts which developed later it is presumed that the man was not active enough to complete the cross ing of the bridge when first alarmed by the rumble of the approaching train and sought safety by getting as close to the edge as possible and crouching down low. From the con- dition of the unfortunate mans body it is believed his head was caught by from the body by fearful impact. When the train was stopped and members of the crew went back to search for the remains, the head was found fully fifty feet from the body, and was badly crushed. The trainmen secured a canvas cot and brought the bloody body to Mena in the baggage car.
 When informed of the accident thru message from Potter. Agent A. Mitchell of the Kansas City Southern at once arranged for an official inves- tigation of the accident. A search of the dead mans effects disclosed among some articles of clothing and personal effects, carried in suit case, an en- velope address to J. l.. Hadley, Idabel, Ok. The return card on the envelope carried the address of Mrs S. Mur- phy, East Fourth street, Oklahoma City. A Christmas card was also found carrying seasons greetings to Grandpa Hadley. A photograph of a young woman, found in the suitcase, was believed to be that of daughter or near relative.
 Agent Mitchell wired to Mrs. Mur- phy and asked for information. Al reply was received stating that the Grandpa Hadley in their family was 87 years of age and answered the de- scription of the dead man.
 In the meanwhile a number of per- sons had visited the Frazier parlor and viewed the body Among them was J. M. Osborn, baggageman at the passenger depot When Mir. Os- born saw Che body he identified it as that of a stranger whom he had be- friended Saturday night by giving a nights lodging. The man, so Mir. 0s- born stated, gave his name as Hadley, and claimed to have lived at Okla homa City. He also stated he was a native of Indiana, where he was born in 1885. The traveller also told Mir. Osborn, so the local man stated, that he was by trade watchmaker and jeweler, and was tramping about over the country because he did not want to remain idle at home.
 The visitor left Sunday morning and that was the last Mir. Osborn saw of him until he found the body at the undertakers Osborn as baggageman, helped take the remains from the train, but at the time did not know it was the old man he had befriended short time before.
 It was also reported that the dead man had spent Sunday night at the home of c. H. Cole in the south part of the city. From there he started southward and is known to have caught ride part of the way with teamsters working on the Jefferson highway. Finding no opportunity to ride all the way to Hatfield, it is sup posed the old man followed the rail- road tracks to the bridge over Two Mile creek, where he met his death.
 These facts and more complete description of the body have been sent to Mrs. Murphy at Oklahoma City and it is supposed she or some member of the family viii wire further instruc- tfona