August G. Pahl

PAHL

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 9/5/2014 at 16:40:57

WAS AUGUST PAHL,

NAME OF THE MAN KILLED IN WEST DAVENPORT.

The Unfortunate Man Came to His Death by Being Run Over by Switch Engine No. 1076 of the Milwaukee Road Body of the Deceased Was Terribly Mangled-- The Inquest.

The man who was run over by switch engine No. 1076 of the C.M. & St. P. road at 3:40 o'clock yesterday afternoon was August G. Pahl, whose residence was in the rear of 420 West Fifth street. How Pahl came to be on the railroad tracks is no known. When found there was no trace of liquor on his person, nor were there any signs of having fallen asleep upon the rails.

The body of the deceased was terribly mangled. His limbs were cut off below the loins. In fact Pahl was so badly disfigured that no one recognized him for several hours.

August G. Pahl was born in Rock Island 45 years ago. He was a fireman and had worked in that capacity for the Bettendorf Axle works, the Sylvan Steel company and the R.I. & P. railroad. A wife and seven children mourn the loss of the deceased.

When Pahl left home in the morning he stated that he was going out to look for permanent work. He put on his best clothes and said that he would probably have to go to Rock Island in order to find employment. When he left home, according to his wife, he had over $6 in his pocket. After his accident, however, only five cents could be found. It seems hardly possible that Pahl when out of work would have spent $6 in one day or rather in a portion of a day. Here is where the deepest mystery seems to lie and why, undoubtedly, certain people think there was foul play.

The Inquest.

The remains of the deceased were taken to the Runge & Petersen Undertaking parlors, where Coroner Lambach conducted an inquest this afternoon. There was a large number of people at the inquest and deep interest was taken in it.

The coroner's jury was composed of A.D. Fine, James Seaman and Mr. Spooner.

Up to the time of going to press a couple of witnesses had been examined. The testimony showed that Pahl had been drinking considerably during the day, but that when seen at 3:15 o'clock in the afternoon he was in a sober condition. The testimony also showed that Pahl was quite sleepin in the afternoon. Up to the time of going to press, however, there was no testimony to the effect that he had fell asleep on the track.

L. Schumacher testified that he was with Pahl in a saloon at the corner of Second and Fillmore streets at about 9 o'clock in the morning. The two men threw dice several times and Pahl seem to win each time. After throwing the first-time Pahl asked Schumacher if he wanted revenge and the two men threw once more. Schumacher testified that while Pahl was in the saloon he drank nothing other than beer. When Pahl left the saloon he remarked to Schumacher that he would see him again sometime. Schumacher was one of the men that helped pick up the body of Pahl after the accident.

Edward Loving when placed upon the stand testified that he talked with Pahl in Louis Neumann's saloon, corner Second and Fillmore streets, both yesterday morning and afternoon. He last seen him before the accident at about 3:15 o'clock when he left the saloon. Loving testified that Pahl was sitting on the steps in front of the saloon and as he was drowsy and sleepy the bartender told him he had either better go home or come inside and have a chair. Pahl went inside and took a chair, but shortly after left the saloon. The witness testified that Pahl was feeling jolly but did not appear to be under the influence of liquor when he left the saloon. Loving was one of the men that helped care for the remains of the unfortunate man.

Source: The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Davenport, Iowa, 15 Aug 1900.

WAS ACCIDENTAL.

Jury in the August G. Pahl Case Renders a Verdict Yesterday.

The verdict rendered by the jury in the case of August G. Pahl was as follows:

We the jury find the deceased, Augustus G. Pahl, met his death by being accidently run over by a Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul switching train upon a switch track directly in the rear of the Davenport Vinegar works.

A.D. FLEU, Foreman.

J.W. SEAMAN.

C.A. SPOONER.

Chris Neimand testified at the inquest matter this paper went to press yesterday afternoon. The witness saw Pahl in the vicinity of the Vinegar Works shortly after 3 o'clock and was of the opinion that Pahl was not drunk .... track a little after the accident witness testified that he found $2.95 which belonged to Pahl. This was returned to Mrs. Pahl on the following morning. (errors in publication)

Source: The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Davenport, Iowa, 16 Aug 1900.

Previous articles on August G. Pahl:

August G. Pahl, who lives at 506 Farnam street, while walking west along Sixth street near Perry, fell upon the sidewalk and was unable to arise. Passerby went to his assistance and helped him to his feet again but could not walk unsupported. The patrol was summoned and he was removed. The event created quite a commotion in the neighborhood.

Source: The Davenport Weekly Reader, Davenport, Ia., 29 Mar 1893.

Yesterday afternoon a suite for divorce was filed in the district clerks office. There were principals in the petition, and of course that constituted a crowd as it usually does in divorce cases. The suit was brought by Mary Pahl against August G. Pahl and one Lena Cushman of Rock Island was the cause of all the turbulence upon what might have otherwise been a calm matrimonial sea.

Mary and August were married in 1881 and since then until some time ago, they dwelled together in union. Just when Lena began ? with the affections of another woman's husband is not stated in the petition, but the consequence of this, Mary asks the court to grant her full and complete divorce from her unfaithful lord together with the custody of their five children and $1,100out of the $1,800 she says August is worth.

Judge Waterman was asked to give the district clerk an order to issue attachment for $550 against the property which was granted.

Source: Davenport Daily Republican, Davenport, Ia., 11 May 1892.