FLEMING, Jesse

FLEMING, MORTIMORE, HATTON, COWGER, BEETUM

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 5/23/2021 at 19:47:48

Newspaper and Date Unknown

Young Man Found Dead on the Railroad Track Near Riverton

Last Tuesday it was discovered that a man had been run over by the train the night before and word was sent out near Nathan Mortimore's the party could be seen. The engineer on the passenger train after getting to Hamburg notified the section foreman that he came down near the cut he saw something on the track and for him to go up and see. He and one of his men went and found the body of a man lying between two ties, both legs severed from the body, one arm off and skull fractured. Leaving a man there he went back to Hamburg, telegraphed to Creston headquarter for the Coroner, Dr. Harris, of Tabor.

Dr. Hatton and son Ora went down after dinner and there lay the body as described, naked, some of the clothing, shoes and cap nearby. People began to gather in from surrounding territory, but up to that time no one knew who it was. About 3 in the afternoon the boat crew came up and among them was Art Fleming, James Cowger and Will Beetum, who recognized the clothing, chain, cap and shoes as being that of Jesse Fleming of our town, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Fleming, the former has had charge of Rankin & Cowden's elevator for many years and Jesse assisted in the elevator. He was seen going down the track about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, by several and that was the last seen of him alive.

The body was wrapped up in a blanket and brought to town and placed in the city hall where Dr. Harris held the inquest, after which the body was turned over to Sherlock & Smith who prepared it for burial for the following day. He was placed in a beautiful casket Wednesday afternoon and taken to his home where a beautiful service was rendered by

Rev. Fred Harris assisted by Rev. Pallister. The music was fine. The casket was brought in the house, but body was not seen. The father, mother, the four brothers present, and only sister took it very hard. The house was crowded to its utmost and everyone sympathized deeply for those in such deep distress. How all this happened is not known, possibly never will be, but it leaves these good people with broken hearts. The family have the sympathy of the entire community in this hour of sorrow.