Clarence Pitts (ca. 1854-1901)

PITTS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 10/27/2015 at 20:00:03

From Nevada Representative January 9, 1901

AMES.

Mr. Clarence Pitts came to his death by a very sad accident Sunday evening. As train No. 5 the Colorado special, which passes through here a little past six, reached Boone a man's hat was discovered on the pilot of the engine. Word was immediately sent back along the line as far as Marshalltown. The body was found about eleven o'clock lying about thirty feet east of the old depot building. It had apparently been dead for several hours and death was undoubtedly caused by the train, though no details are positively known. It seems that Mr. Pitts was in one of the restaurants a few minutes before train time and left in the direction of the Duff street crossing near which his body was found. Several theories are prevalent. One is that he was struck by the engine while upon the crossing and the body was carried several rods to the westward. Another is that Mr. Pitts attempted to make his way between two freight cars of a train which was then standing upon the north track, and not noticing the approach of the fast train jumped down in front of the incoming engine at the very moment that it dashed through. An inquest was held yesterday conducted by the coroner. The flagman testified that he was at his post and that no one attempted to cross as the train passed and other testimony corroborated this statement. The verdict simply declared the cause of death but did not attempt to fix responsibility.