Phalan, John – d. 1910

PHALAN, PHELAN

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 6/29/2017 at 08:17:25

Man Meets Horrible Death at Colfax
Run Down by Switch Engine at Colfax Street Crossing and is Terribly Mangled
Young Lady Narrowly Escapes Similar Death
Identity of Dead Man is Unknown But He had Been Seen in Colfax Vicinity for Several Days – Apparently Fifty Years Of Age.
Apparently alone in the world and helpless from old age, a tramp was run down by a switch engine at the street crossing in Colfax today, and met a horrible death, being mangled beyond all resemblance to a human form. The unfortunate man was endeavoring to cross the tracks and had avoided one engine, and when he was in the center of the track, the switch engine, which he had not noticed, came rushing down the track and before he was aware of the danger it was too late.
The man was apparently past fifty years of age and no trace of his identity has been found up to this time. He had been seen about the city for several days and yesterday had taken dinner at the home of G. W. Branford about two miles from the spring city. At the time of the accident, Miss Vina Kilbourn, who is stenographer for the Colfax Northern Railway Company, narrowly escaped a similar fate as she was endeavoring to cross the tracks.
Source: Newton Daily News; Friday, October 14, 1910

Colfax Victim Laid to Rest in Potter’s Field
John Phalan the man who was run down and killed by the switch engine at Colfax at the main street crossing, will be buried in the Potter’s field at the Colfax cemetery.
For some time past he had been employed as farm hand at the Will Wilkenson place near Prairie City, but quit work yesterday noon and walked to Colfax. He had also worked for John Gannon near Valeria some five years ago. Deceased has two half-brothers living somewhere in Wisconsin, but their names are unknown. He was 54 years of age.
Source: Newton Daily News; Saturday, October 15, 1910