James "Jimmy" Allison

ALLISON

Posted By: Lynn McCleary (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 20:55:34

Muscatine Journal, Wednesday July 14, 1909, pg 2

Lad of Eight Years Loses Life by Hopping On Train
Falls Beneath the Wheels and Left Leg is Cut Off

Hurried To Hospital

Was Playing with Companions When Effort is Made to Hoop Slowly Moving Freight – Taken to Hospital in Dr. Fulliam’s Auto

Five hours after his left leg had been cut off, as the result of an attempt to board a slowly moving freight train that was passing near his home at 206 Dewey avenue, James, the eight-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. William Allison died at Bellevue hospital, where he had been rushed by Dr. E. B. Fulliam, in an effort to save the little fellow’s life, shortly after 7 o’clock last night. At the hospital the limb was amputated close to the hip the internal injuries, together with the intense shock, were more than the boy could withstand, and sinking into an apparently deep sleep, he never rallied.

It seems that James, with a number of companions near his own age, was playing along the railroad tracks near his home in South Muscatine, when the train came along at a slow state of speed. As he had done numerous times before, the lad grasped the first rung of the ladder at the side of one of the cars, and swung his feet toward the brake beam, or oil box, but they did not find a support there, consequently the little fellow’s hands slipped, and in his position, the left limb was forced under the wheels. Four cars passed over it before the train was stopped, the frantic cries of Jimmy’s companions attracting the attention of the train crew. The wheels passed over the left leg shortly below the hip joint, and strange to relate the little fellow did not lose consciousness until the anesthetic was administered, preparatory in the amputation at Bellevue hospital.

Companions Frantic.

The young companions of the boy who had witnessed the awful tragedy as the result of Jimmy’s daring, called hastily for help, the train crews finally heeding, and stopping the freight. He was picked up and carried to his home, a short distance away the blood flowing freely from the arteries, while in the meantime Dr. E. H. Fulliam was hastily summoned. The physician arrived in his automobile, and after checking the flow of blood, hurried the injured boy to Bellevue hospital.

Amputated Leg.

At the hospital it was found necessary to amputate the leg immediately below the hip joint, which offered a slight chance of saving the boy’s life, though it was indeed a meager one. The anesthetic was quickly administered, and the amputation performed, bu the little fellow’s strength slowly ebbed, until death came to relieve his sufferings a few minutes before 12 o’clock.

The Funeral

The funeral is appointed to take place Thursday morning from the late residence, 206 Dewey avenue, though the arrangements have not been fully completed.

Muscatine Journal July 15, 1909, pg 7

South Muscatine - Victim of Accident Buried at Greenwood

Little James Allison Laid at Rest Today

Rev. Thomas Osborn Conducts Simple Service Held at Chapel – Many Friends Present.

The funeral of James, the little son of Mr. and Mrs. William Allison, who was fatally injured in the local railroad yards on Tuesday evening was held this afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Greenwood chapel. A number of the friends of the family were in attendance at the service. Rev. Thomas Osborn, pastor of the First Methodist church, conducted the obsequies and spoke in a consoling manner to the bereaved family. Interment was made at Greenwood.