Train Yard Hoodoo01

Waupaca Record Leader

September 10, 1903

TWO MEN KILLED TUESDAY NIGHT

Stealing Ride on Flat Car,

Shifting of Lumber Caused by Two Sections Coming Together

Causes Small Wreck and Loss of Life

The hoodoo said to exist in the Waupaca yards has evidently not been overcome by elevating the tracks. Tuesday night witnessed a small wreck by the breaking in two of an extra fast freight, No. 89. No material damage was done the equipment of the road, but two men who were stealing a ride lost their lives. At twenty minutes after seven Tuesday evening Agent Pennell was closing up the last matters in this office before leaving for his new duties in Stevens Point he heard the whistle for “train broken in two”. Well he knew the result of that whistle for in his stay in this city he has heard it on previous occasions. He stepped to the door in time to see four cars, a caboose and three freights, crash into the seven cars and an engine that could not keep out of their way. On the rebound the train broke away and again came together, throwing the truck of the caboose from the track. While making an examination of the damage done blood was seen dropping down from a flat car loaded with lumber and examination developed the fact that two men were crushed to a pulp between the end of a flat car and the lumber which had shifted from the bump. The car was unloaded and the men removed to the freight warehouse. Wednesday morning Justice M.B. Scott secured a coroner’s jury of W.N. Van Epps, Tom Pipe, Lars Larson and Peter Anderson, who viewed the remains and took the necessary testimony On the person of one of the men was found an express receipt for a grip from Beloit to Chicago in the name of Thos. Kildorf, a memorandum book containing dates of arrival and departure in various cities and seventy-five cents in change. On the other, $10.10, a receipt for a board bill made out to the name of John Lox, and a letter of recommendation. The jury listened to brakemen Geo. Fry and Frank Barnett who detailed the call for brakes and the coming together of the cars and the finding of the bodies. Ole Bea testified to handling the lumber as did Walter Hansen, section foreman. An adjournment was taken to await the coming of the engineer and fireman who had gone on with their engine. No blame could possibly be attached to anyone and the jury found in accordance with the facts. Dan wheel, the conductor in charge, was thrown from the top of his caboose and suffered a dislocation of the shoulder. Dr. Pelton was called and he was taken to the Gordinier and later taken by the limited to his home in Fond du Lac.

Claim Agent Harrington of the Central was in the city and looked into the matter Wednesday. He said that no new developments were discovered and the matter would rest as it is. The two bodies were buried this morning.

Rev. Hayward held services over the remains at the cemetery.