Dubuque Telegraph Herald, 6 Jul 1894, pg 4, c4
Chas. Lyon's Awful Death
Killed by a Milwaukee Passenger Train at Massey Station
LITERALLY GROUND TO PIECES
{illegible} Of His Remains Scattered Along the Track for 250 Feet -- The Engineer Claims He Was Lying Along The Track--Meeting of the BAR Association and Resolutions of Respect -- The Coroner's Jury Making an Investigation
Charles E. Lyon, son of Col. D. E. Lyon, met a horrible fate on the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul track, about six miles below the city, at midnight Tuesday night. When the passenger train which reaches here shortly after 12 o'clock arrived the conductor notified the agent that the train had struck a man near Massey Station. The coroner was notified and a couple of reporters left for the scene at 4 o'clock. On the reverse curve just this side of Showandasee the train stopped the coroner and party got off. The sight that met their eyes was a horrible one. Lying just out of the track on the east side of the rail was the denuded, dismembered, decapitated trunk of a man, and other portions of the body were scattered along the track for more than 200 feet. The arms were not cut nor was the chest mutilated, but from the hips down the body had been literally ground to pieces. The same was true of the head of which only the scalp remained. The intestines were strewn along the track. There was no possible manner of identifying the unfortunate man by the remains. The clothing was scattered along the track, having been torn off the body as it rolled along under the cars. The coat and vest, although torn and badly soiled by blood and oil, remained intact. The shirt and pants were torn to pieces. Nothing by which the body could be identified was found in either the coat or vest. The coat bore the name of a Dubuque merchant, and a ticket found in the pocket from Massey to Dubuque indicated the dead man belonged to this city, but no paper or book of any kind was found. A piece of stocking bore the initials "C. E. L." A part of the shirt bosom was found which bore the same initials, and the collar which was picked up where the first signs of blood appeared also bore the same initials. One of the reporters suggested that "C. E. L." were the initials of Chas. E. Lyon, and the fact that a black string tie and a soft hat like that worn by the young man were found added color to the suspicion it might be him. The remains were picked up and put in a coffin, and the party went on down to Massey to stop the train. On the way down, about 200 yards below where the body was found, a Smith & Wesson hammerless, five chamber revolver was found. At the station Capt Hobbs was met. He asked what the party was doing and upon being informed that they were down there to pick up the dead body of a man who had been killed by a train, immediately the Capt. asked, "Was it Charley Lyon?" From facts then related by Mr. Hobbs, there was no doubt it was indeed the young attorney. Captain Hobbs owns a cabin on the river bank near Massey, and he and a friend named Fred Greyor from Chicago were encamped there. Col. Lyon desired to have Capt. Hobbs come to Dubuque Wednesday morning, and Tuesday night he sent Charley down there with a note to the captain. The young man departed on the 8 o'clock train expecting to return at midnight. He found, however, that the midnight train does not stop there. He delivered the note to the captain, and spent the evening in the cabin. About 11 o'clock he expressed a determination to walk home, and although importuned to stay all night, about 11 o'clock he started for home. He had borrowed Mr. Greyor's revolver, which was identified as the one found by the coroner.
The place where the death occurred is about a mile north of Massey. The first signs of blood appeared at the "slow post" on the curve, and about 100 feet from the curve itself. From the portions of the body found there it was evident his head was first caught by the wheels and he was killed immediately. The body was then kept rolling along under the engine and cars for a distance of 200 feet, when it was thrown to the side.
The remains were brought to Dubuque, and to complete the identification the coroner tried some keys found in one of the pockets of the young attorney's office door and desks. The door was unlocked, as also were the desks. Satisfied that it was Charles E. Lyon, the coroner went to Rev. Hopkins to have him break the news to the family. Col. Lyon was informed of the sad fate which had befallen his son by Capt. Hobbs. Mr. Lyon was waiting for Mr. Hobbs at the custom house and his inquiries regarding the accident and his son brought out the horrible truth. He then went to the coroner's and completed the identification of the young man by identifying the clothing.
The manner in which the accident occurred is a mystery and has given rise to various theories. The engineer claims that when he rounded the curve he saw a man lying on the track about fifty feet away. The distance was too short, and the whole train passed over the spot before it was stopped. The crew got out and finding the body all ground up, came to Dubuque to notify the coroner.
The exact time that he left the camp is not known, the parties there being able only to fix it as between 11 and 12 o'clock.
The fact that money, keys, etc., were found in his pockets precludes the theory of foul play. Another peculiar incident is the finding of the revolver so far from the scene of the accident. An explanation of this is suggested in the fact that the coat and vest were not badly torn and that he had taken them off and was carrying them. Perhaps having the revolver in the coat pocket it could easily drop without his discovering it. The fact that the body was rolled along under the train railroad men say it is evidence it was lying on the track. When men are struck standing up the body is thrown to the side by the cow catcher.
Chas. Lyon's Awful Death
Killed by a Milwaukee Passenger Train at Massey Station
LITERALLY GROUND TO PIECES
{illegible} Of His Remains Scattered Along the Track for 250 Feet -- The Engineer Claims He Was Lying Along The Track--Meeting of the BAR Association and Resolutions of Respect -- The Coroner's Jury Making an Investigation
Charles E. Lyon, son of Col. D. E. Lyon, met a horrible fate on the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul track, about six miles below the city, at midnight Tuesday night. When the passenger train which reaches here shortly after 12 o'clock arrived the conductor notified the agent that the train had struck a man near Massey Station. The coroner was notified and a couple of reporters left for the scene at 4 o'clock. On the reverse curve just this side of Showandasee the train stopped the coroner and party got off. The sight that met their eyes was a horrible one. Lying just out of the track on the east side of the rail was the denuded, dismembered, decapitated trunk of a man, and other portions of the body were scattered along the track for more than 200 feet. The arms were not cut nor was the chest mutilated, but from the hips down the body had been literally ground to pieces. The same was true of the head of which only the scalp remained. The intestines were strewn along the track. There was no possible manner of identifying the unfortunate man by the remains. The clothing was scattered along the track, having been torn off the body as it rolled along under the cars. The coat and vest, although torn and badly soiled by blood and oil, remained intact. The shirt and pants were torn to pieces. Nothing by which the body could be identified was found in either the coat or vest. The coat bore the name of a Dubuque merchant, and a ticket found in the pocket from Massey to Dubuque indicated the dead man belonged to this city, but no paper or book of any kind was found. A piece of stocking bore the initials "C. E. L." A part of the shirt bosom was found which bore the same initials, and the collar which was picked up where the first signs of blood appeared also bore the same initials. One of the reporters suggested that "C. E. L." were the initials of Chas. E. Lyon, and the fact that a black string tie and a soft hat like that worn by the young man were found added color to the suspicion it might be him. The remains were picked up and put in a coffin, and the party went on down to Massey to stop the train. On the way down, about 200 yards below where the body was found, a Smith & Wesson hammerless, five chamber revolver was found. At the station Capt Hobbs was met. He asked what the party was doing and upon being informed that they were down there to pick up the dead body of a man who had been killed by a train, immediately the Capt. asked, "Was it Charley Lyon?" From facts then related by Mr. Hobbs, there was no doubt it was indeed the young attorney. Captain Hobbs owns a cabin on the river bank near Massey, and he and a friend named Fred Greyor from Chicago were encamped there. Col. Lyon desired to have Capt. Hobbs come to Dubuque Wednesday morning, and Tuesday night he sent Charley down there with a note to the captain. The young man departed on the 8 o'clock train expecting to return at midnight. He found, however, that the midnight train does not stop there. He delivered the note to the captain, and spent the evening in the cabin. About 11 o'clock he expressed a determination to walk home, and although importuned to stay all night, about 11 o'clock he started for home. He had borrowed Mr. Greyor's revolver, which was identified as the one found by the coroner.
The place where the death occurred is about a mile north of Massey. The first signs of blood appeared at the "slow post" on the curve, and about 100 feet from the curve itself. From the portions of the body found there it was evident his head was first caught by the wheels and he was killed immediately. The body was then kept rolling along under the engine and cars for a distance of 200 feet, when it was thrown to the side.
The remains were brought to Dubuque, and to complete the identification the coroner tried some keys found in one of the pockets of the young attorney's office door and desks. The door was unlocked, as also were the desks. Satisfied that it was Charles E. Lyon, the coroner went to Rev. Hopkins to have him break the news to the family. Col. Lyon was informed of the sad fate which had befallen his son by Capt. Hobbs. Mr. Lyon was waiting for Mr. Hobbs at the custom house and his inquiries regarding the accident and his son brought out the horrible truth. He then went to the coroner's and completed the identification of the young man by identifying the clothing.
The manner in which the accident occurred is a mystery and has given rise to various theories. The engineer claims that when he rounded the curve he saw a man lying on the track about fifty feet away. The distance was too short, and the whole train passed over the spot before it was stopped. The crew got out and finding the body all ground up, came to Dubuque to notify the coroner.
The exact time that he left the camp is not known, the parties there being able only to fix it as between 11 and 12 o'clock.
The fact that money, keys, etc., were found in his pockets precludes the theory of foul play. Another peculiar incident is the finding of the revolver so far from the scene of the accident. An explanation of this is suggested in the fact that the coat and vest were not badly torn and that he had taken them off and was carrying them. Perhaps having the revolver in the coat pocket it could easily drop without his discovering it. The fact that the body was rolled along under the train railroad men say it is evidence it was lying on the track. When men are struck standing up the body is thrown to the side by the cow catcher.
Dubuque Telegraph Herald, 6 Jul 1894, pg 4, c4
Chas. Lyon's Awful Death
Killed by a Milwaukee Passenger Train at Massey Station
LITERALLY GROUND TO PIECES
{illegible} Of His Remains Scattered Along the Track for 250 Feet -- The Engineer Claims He Was Lying Along The Track--Meeting of the BAR Association and Resolutions of Respect -- The Coroner's Jury Making an Investigation
Charles E. Lyon, son of Col. D. E. Lyon, met a horrible fate on the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul track, about six miles below the city, at midnight Tuesday night. When the passenger train which reaches here shortly after 12 o'clock arrived the conductor notified the agent that the train had struck a man near Massey Station. The coroner was notified and a couple of reporters left for the scene at 4 o'clock. On the reverse curve just this side of Showandasee the train stopped the coroner and party got off. The sight that met their eyes was a horrible one. Lying just out of the track on the east side of the rail was the denuded, dismembered, decapitated trunk of a man, and other portions of the body were scattered along the track for more than 200 feet. The arms were not cut nor was the chest mutilated, but from the hips down the body had been literally ground to pieces. The same was true of the head of which only the scalp remained. The intestines were strewn along the track. There was no possible manner of identifying the unfortunate man by the remains. The clothing was scattered along the track, having been torn off the body as it rolled along under the cars. The coat and vest, although torn and badly soiled by blood and oil, remained intact. The shirt and pants were torn to pieces. Nothing by which the body could be identified was found in either the coat or vest. The coat bore the name of a Dubuque merchant, and a ticket found in the pocket from Massey to Dubuque indicated the dead man belonged to this city, but no paper or book of any kind was found. A piece of stocking bore the initials "C. E. L." A part of the shirt bosom was found which bore the same initials, and the collar which was picked up where the first signs of blood appeared also bore the same initials. One of the reporters suggested that "C. E. L." were the initials of Chas. E. Lyon, and the fact that a black string tie and a soft hat like that worn by the young man were found added color to the suspicion it might be him. The remains were picked up and put in a coffin, and the party went on down to Massey to stop the train. On the way down, about 200 yards below where the body was found, a Smith & Wesson hammerless, five chamber revolver was found. At the station Capt Hobbs was met. He asked what the party was doing and upon being informed that they were down there to pick up the dead body of a man who had been killed by a train, immediately the Capt. asked, "Was it Charley Lyon?" From facts then related by Mr. Hobbs, there was no doubt it was indeed the young attorney. Captain Hobbs owns a cabin on the river bank near Massey, and he and a friend named Fred Greyor from Chicago were encamped there. Col. Lyon desired to have Capt. Hobbs come to Dubuque Wednesday morning, and Tuesday night he sent Charley down there with a note to the captain. The young man departed on the 8 o'clock train expecting to return at midnight. He found, however, that the midnight train does not stop there. He delivered the note to the captain, and spent the evening in the cabin. About 11 o'clock he expressed a determination to walk home, and although importuned to stay all night, about 11 o'clock he started for home. He had borrowed Mr. Greyor's revolver, which was identified as the one found by the coroner.
The place where the death occurred is about a mile north of Massey. The first signs of blood appeared at the "slow post" on the curve, and about 100 feet from the curve itself. From the portions of the body found there it was evident his head was first caught by the wheels and he was killed immediately. The body was then kept rolling along under the engine and cars for a distance of 200 feet, when it was thrown to the side.
The remains were brought to Dubuque, and to complete the identification the coroner tried some keys found in one of the pockets of the young attorney's office door and desks. The door was unlocked, as also were the desks. Satisfied that it was Charles E. Lyon, the coroner went to Rev. Hopkins to have him break the news to the family. Col. Lyon was informed of the sad fate which had befallen his son by Capt. Hobbs. Mr. Lyon was waiting for Mr. Hobbs at the custom house and his inquiries regarding the accident and his son brought out the horrible truth. He then went to the coroner's and completed the identification of the young man by identifying the clothing.
The manner in which the accident occurred is a mystery and has given rise to various theories. The engineer claims that when he rounded the curve he saw a man lying on the track about fifty feet away. The distance was too short, and the whole train passed over the spot before it was stopped. The crew got out and finding the body all ground up, came to Dubuque to notify the coroner.
The exact time that he left the camp is not known, the parties there being able only to fix it as between 11 and 12 o'clock.
The fact that money, keys, etc., were found in his pockets precludes the theory of foul play. Another peculiar incident is the finding of the revolver so far from the scene of the accident. An explanation of this is suggested in the fact that the coat and vest were not badly torn and that he had taken them off and was carrying them. Perhaps having the revolver in the coat pocket it could easily drop without his discovering it. The fact that the body was rolled along under the train railroad men say it is evidence it was lying on the track. When men are struck standing up the body is thrown to the side by the cow catcher.
Chas. Lyon's Awful Death
Killed by a Milwaukee Passenger Train at Massey Station
LITERALLY GROUND TO PIECES
{illegible} Of His Remains Scattered Along the Track for 250 Feet -- The Engineer Claims He Was Lying Along The Track--Meeting of the BAR Association and Resolutions of Respect -- The Coroner's Jury Making an Investigation
Charles E. Lyon, son of Col. D. E. Lyon, met a horrible fate on the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul track, about six miles below the city, at midnight Tuesday night. When the passenger train which reaches here shortly after 12 o'clock arrived the conductor notified the agent that the train had struck a man near Massey Station. The coroner was notified and a couple of reporters left for the scene at 4 o'clock. On the reverse curve just this side of Showandasee the train stopped the coroner and party got off. The sight that met their eyes was a horrible one. Lying just out of the track on the east side of the rail was the denuded, dismembered, decapitated trunk of a man, and other portions of the body were scattered along the track for more than 200 feet. The arms were not cut nor was the chest mutilated, but from the hips down the body had been literally ground to pieces. The same was true of the head of which only the scalp remained. The intestines were strewn along the track. There was no possible manner of identifying the unfortunate man by the remains. The clothing was scattered along the track, having been torn off the body as it rolled along under the cars. The coat and vest, although torn and badly soiled by blood and oil, remained intact. The shirt and pants were torn to pieces. Nothing by which the body could be identified was found in either the coat or vest. The coat bore the name of a Dubuque merchant, and a ticket found in the pocket from Massey to Dubuque indicated the dead man belonged to this city, but no paper or book of any kind was found. A piece of stocking bore the initials "C. E. L." A part of the shirt bosom was found which bore the same initials, and the collar which was picked up where the first signs of blood appeared also bore the same initials. One of the reporters suggested that "C. E. L." were the initials of Chas. E. Lyon, and the fact that a black string tie and a soft hat like that worn by the young man were found added color to the suspicion it might be him. The remains were picked up and put in a coffin, and the party went on down to Massey to stop the train. On the way down, about 200 yards below where the body was found, a Smith & Wesson hammerless, five chamber revolver was found. At the station Capt Hobbs was met. He asked what the party was doing and upon being informed that they were down there to pick up the dead body of a man who had been killed by a train, immediately the Capt. asked, "Was it Charley Lyon?" From facts then related by Mr. Hobbs, there was no doubt it was indeed the young attorney. Captain Hobbs owns a cabin on the river bank near Massey, and he and a friend named Fred Greyor from Chicago were encamped there. Col. Lyon desired to have Capt. Hobbs come to Dubuque Wednesday morning, and Tuesday night he sent Charley down there with a note to the captain. The young man departed on the 8 o'clock train expecting to return at midnight. He found, however, that the midnight train does not stop there. He delivered the note to the captain, and spent the evening in the cabin. About 11 o'clock he expressed a determination to walk home, and although importuned to stay all night, about 11 o'clock he started for home. He had borrowed Mr. Greyor's revolver, which was identified as the one found by the coroner.
The place where the death occurred is about a mile north of Massey. The first signs of blood appeared at the "slow post" on the curve, and about 100 feet from the curve itself. From the portions of the body found there it was evident his head was first caught by the wheels and he was killed immediately. The body was then kept rolling along under the engine and cars for a distance of 200 feet, when it was thrown to the side.
The remains were brought to Dubuque, and to complete the identification the coroner tried some keys found in one of the pockets of the young attorney's office door and desks. The door was unlocked, as also were the desks. Satisfied that it was Charles E. Lyon, the coroner went to Rev. Hopkins to have him break the news to the family. Col. Lyon was informed of the sad fate which had befallen his son by Capt. Hobbs. Mr. Lyon was waiting for Mr. Hobbs at the custom house and his inquiries regarding the accident and his son brought out the horrible truth. He then went to the coroner's and completed the identification of the young man by identifying the clothing.
The manner in which the accident occurred is a mystery and has given rise to various theories. The engineer claims that when he rounded the curve he saw a man lying on the track about fifty feet away. The distance was too short, and the whole train passed over the spot before it was stopped. The crew got out and finding the body all ground up, came to Dubuque to notify the coroner.
The exact time that he left the camp is not known, the parties there being able only to fix it as between 11 and 12 o'clock.
The fact that money, keys, etc., were found in his pockets precludes the theory of foul play. Another peculiar incident is the finding of the revolver so far from the scene of the accident. An explanation of this is suggested in the fact that the coat and vest were not badly torn and that he had taken them off and was carrying them. Perhaps having the revolver in the coat pocket it could easily drop without his discovering it. The fact that the body was rolled along under the train railroad men say it is evidence it was lying on the track. When men are struck standing up the body is thrown to the side by the cow catcher.
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