Thos. Norton

NORTON

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 8/7/2024 at 10:13:30

The Wapello Republic, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Thursday, April 7, 1904
Page 5

Columbus Junction, April 4 - Thos. Norton, a man who had been working the past two months for Al. Russell, a horse trainer, was found dead besides the railroad tracks, a mile east of this place this morning. He had gone to Muscatine Saturday and was evidently bumming his way home on a freight, probably riding either the bummers or the rods, when he lost his hold and fell. His head was crushed, which was the only prominent mark to show how he had been killed. It was found that he struck the end of the ties in three places, about ten feet apart, and his body was found fifty feet further on, half buried in a ditch full of water.

He was a stranger here, on one knowing anything about him. He had told his employer that he was married but owing to bad luck his wife had gone back to her people while he sought work. Where he came from or where he belongs, on one seems to know. He was about thirty-five years old. No inquest was held. He will be buried near this place.