Iowa Old Press
Algona Upper Des Moines
Algona, Kossuth co. Iowa
June 15, 1910
TRAGIC DEATH OF J. L. SUTTON
Well Known Algona Stock Feed Manufacturer Meets Sudden Death
Under Cars - Body is Almost Severed by North-Western Train -
Funeral Held Yesterday Afternoon
News of the fatal accident which befell J. L. Sutton Saturday
evening brought forth expressions of astonishment when the story
was circulated that he had been killed by the evening south bound
passenger on the Northwestern. Several persons had been
conversing with Mr. Sutton only a few moments previous and it was
hard to convince some that the body discovered on the railroad
track was not another person.
The facts as related by eye witnesses are about as follows: Mr.
Sutton had a letter which he was anxious to mail on the south
bound train. After endeavoring to get a postage stamp at various
other places, he finally secured one from Mr. Spurbeck in the
butter tub factory office. The Northwestern passenger train was
at the depot by that time and Mr. Sutton hurried across and is
supposed to have mailed his letter on the east side of the mail
car. After a short conversation with the men in the cab of the
engine, he passed north along the east side of the train and Al
Kinne, the watchman at the butter tub factory, while looking out
of a window, noticed him as if looking for some party in the
cars. When Mr. Sutton reached the rear platform of the next to
the rear car he stopped and taking hold of the hand rods, put one
foot on the step of the coach and stood as if talking to some
party either on the platform or in the car. The train began to
move out and Mr. Sutton hopped along for a short distance on one
foot, still clinging to the car rods. Suddenly, either in an
attempt to climb on the train or to release his foot from the
step, he relaxed his hold on the rods and seemed to pitch forward
between the two cars, falling on his face with his head and
shoulders in the middle of the track, the wheels of the rear car
passing diagonally across his bowels crushing the life out of him
almost instantly, and almost severing the body.
The three or four rear cars of the train were what is known as
dead cars, being brought down from the Fox Lake branch, and
contained no lights nor passengers. The rear car was an empty
baggage or mail car, without end door or platform. The parties
Mr. Sutton was talking to were two boys, Ray Ladendorff and
Sidney Rosenstell, whom the deceased was trying to get off the
car platform and the accident occurred while the boys’ backs
were turned toward Mr. Sutton and the lads were preparing to jump
from the train. As soon as the cars had passed out of the depot
yard, the remains were picked up and removed to the Sutton home,
the clothing not having been cut or torn and the ground where he
fell showed no signs of terrible tragedy. Later investigation by
undertaker Laird showed that the lower part of the trunk had been
literally crushed to pieces.
The Coroner’s Inquest.
Owing to the peculiar manner in which Mr. Sutton met his death,
it was deemed best that the Coroner by called upon this case. Dr.
T.S. Waud came down from Germania Monday afternoon and impaneling
a jury consisting of F. S. Norton, C. F. Lathrop and B. F. Crose,
spent the larger part of the afternoon investigating the death.
The verdict was in accord with the above.
J. L. Sutton was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, November 30, 1853,
which means he was 56 and one-half years of age. With a wife and
family of five children he came to Algona nineteen years ago, and
has been a continuous resident here since. Two sons, two
daughters and the wife are left widow and fatherless by his
tragic death. The sons, Jacob and Harry, live in South Dakota,
the latter being on a claim several miles from a railroad; Miss
Maud is a trained nurse living in Des Moines and Pearl, now Mrs.
Hugh Carr, resides in Fenton. The third son died several years
ago. The family are gathered together except Harry from whom they
have heard no news, probably on account of the great distance he
is situated from the railroad or communication with the outside
world. The funeral was held from the Sutton home yesterday
afternoon, Rev. O. H. Holmes conducting the services. Burial was
in Riverview Cemetery.
LOCAL NEWS NOTES:
Investigating a rumor to the effect that J. L. Sutton
was in heavy financial trouble, the facts are brought out that
Sheriff Lillie received a telegram Saturday afternoon instructing
him to arrest J. L. Sutton on the charge of passing forged
checks. This was done and Mr. Sutton gave a $500 bond to appear
at the sheriff’s office the next day and meet a party from
Des Moines who would prefer charges. A message to Des Moines
telling of the fatal accident put a stop to any further
procedure. It is said the charge is brought by parties in
Spencer.
[transcribed by L.Z., August 2014]