SHAFFER, George A. 1855-1880

SHAFFER

Posted By: Vounteer: Sherri
Date: 5/23/2014 at 11:15:11

The Fairfield Ledger
March 10, 1880, Page 3, Col. 6

A HORRIBLE DEATH.

George A. SHAFFER run over and Killed in the C., R.I. & P.R.R. Yards.

From the LEDGER's Thursday Extra.

Our people were startled Thursday morning by a report that George A. SHAFFER, a young man well known in this city, had been run over in the Southwestern switch-yards and killed. Wednesday about midnight as John MURDOCK was going home, he stumbled over some object lying on the track near the lower switch, south of the depot. Fearing that some accident had happened, he immediately went to the depot, and with John ACHESON, C.M. BILLS and Frank McDONALD, repaired to the spot. Here they found the body which, upon examination, proved to be that of George A. SHAFFER.

The body was found a short distance below the end of the south switch. The powerful wheels of the cars had severed it near the waist, and the lower part was lying several feet from the upper, - frightfully mangled and torn. From the waist up the remains were almost intact, although there were bruises and small contusions on the head and the face. For twenty-five yards or more along the track and rails and ties were bespattered with drops of blood, blotches of human flesh, articles of clothing, and the like, and there was a great pool of gore where the body lay when first found. As soon as possible Agent GREENE and Coroner EVANS were summoned, and viewed the remains, which were then gathered up, placed in a trunk, and taken to the depot to await the sitting of the Coroner's Jury.

Of course as to the exact manner of his death there is till some doubt, but the coroner's jury-Messrs. W.M. SWAYNE, Geo. E. PURCELL and W.K. ALEXANDER-developed the facts as far as they will ever be known. In company with other parties, all more or less under the influence of liquor, he had gone to the Southwestern depot in the evening, where the others all took the train for Perlee, leaving George on the platform of the depot. A brakeman on 1st 17, then lying at the depot, testified that he twice made a man (supposed to be deceased) get away, who was standing on the draw-bars of the cars, and it is thought that he might have got on again and been thrown to the track by the motion of the cars. Harry HORN, engineer of 2d 17, stated that he was on his usual lookout when passing through the yards, and noticed nothing unusual, but that there were marks on his engine which denoted that the pilot had struck something some place on the track. Jule McCOSKRY, of the third section, saw something lying on the track, but supposed it was a hog, and paid but little attention.

One theory is that deceased boarded one section of the train, and while endeavoring to enter a car was thrown under the wheels. Another was that either he was lying on the track asleep or was unable to get out of the way when the train approached. Some think the two latter sections of the train 17 passed over the body but Agent GREENE thinks only one, for had the body been carried by more than one train there would have been pools of blood wherever it was dropped, and there was only one of those found..-From appearances he was first struck about half way between the depot and the gas works, and the body was carried about fifty feet to where it was found, and there were traces of it dragging along the track.

The jury brought in a verdict in accordance with the above facts, and exonerated the company and its employes from all blame.

George A. SHAFFER was about twenty-six years of age, and resided in this city since boyhood, his parents and family being old and esteemed citizens of Fairfield. Like many another man had he been kinder to himself his life might have been happier, but whatever his faults may have been they are now covered by death's mantle of charity.

The funeral occurred from the residence of his mother in this city Friday afternoon and was largely attended.

(Transcribed for genealogy purposes. I am of no relation.)

Admin. note: According to the Evergreen Cemetery listing and the WPA survey, George's middle initial is W.; he was born November 29, 1855. He is buried in Lot Old.P.097.