Iowa
Old Press
The Sioux City Journal
September 11, 1897
DECAPITATED BY A TRAIN.
Orton A. Ewell of This City, Killed on the Milwaukee Near Chatsworth.
Orton A. Ewell, of 1915 East Fourth street, who formerly was an employe of the Sioux City Sewer Pipe company, but who recently and until Thursday night was a member of an extra fence gang working along the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul tracks north of Akron, was killed yesterday morning on the Milwaukee track at a point between Chatsworth and Akron, about three miles north of the latter place.
The body was decapitated, the head being found between the rails, the trunk lying on the outside along the right of way.
It is supposed Ewell was struck by a southbound freight train about 4 o’clock, although no one saw the accident, and the ghastly discovery was not made until after daylight.
It was learned at the Milwaukee dispatcher’s office that Ewell and his foreman had some words Thursday evening, and that Ewell left Chatsworth about dusk. The railway people incline to the belief that he went to sleep on the track.
The remains were taken to Akron and are in charge of the Coroner of Plymouth county.
The parents of the deceased, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ewell, reside at 2201 East Third street. The father until three years ago was an employe of the Milwaukee railway. Latterly he has been unable to work. Mrs. Frank Buck, of 220 Division street, is a sister of the deceased.
Information regarding her husband’s tragic death was given to Mrs. Ewell at 1915 East Fourth street by Frank Harvey, of the police department. She and the dead man’s mother and Mrs. Buck went to the Milwaukee dispatcher’s office, where the sad news was confirmed.
Mrs. Frank Ewell said her son was 25 years of age, and was subject to epileptic fits. She stated that his condition was such that he might have fallen at any time, and she believes that he was overcome with a fit and while in an unconscious condition was run over by the train.
The remains will be brought to Sioux City.
[transcribed by L.Z. 2020]
The Sioux City Journal, September 12, 1897
The coroner and county attorney of Plymouth county held an inquest yesterday over the remains of Orton Ewell, the man who was killed by a Milwaukee train on Friday.
The remains of Orton A. Ewell, who was killed by a railway train near Akron Friday, arrived in the city yesterday afternoon. Arrangements for the funeral have not yet been announced.
[transcribed by L.Z. 2020]