Unknown man (a "tramp") (-1901)

UNKNOWN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/19/2011 at 23:05:55

From Story County Watchman April 22, 1901

Slater, April 22.--Two tramps, who happened to land near the place at a time convenient to them to camp for the night, built a line alongside the Chicago & North-Western tracks not far from the depot. They intended sleeping there for the night, and before lying down one of the men informed the other that he was subject to epileptic fits and should he have one in the night request him to care for him. He had scarcely uttered the words before he was overcome with an attack and fell into the fire. His comrade rescued him immediately, putting out the blaze that had caught his clothing with his hands, burning them quite badly in doing so. They then decided to go to the depot to remain during the rest of the night. The tramp who had fallen into the fire remained to put out the blaze so that it would not spread and ignite any of the railroad company's property. The other, who went to the depot, awaited for his companion some time, and as he did not come glanced out of the window and saw that the fire was still blazing quite brightly. He feared the man might have another fit and strolled up to where they had made their camp. His fears proved only too true, and, lying across the fire, life absolutely extinct and with his body burned to a crisp, lay the remains of his unfortunate companion.