Jesse Waltz

Instantly Killed at Jireh Depot

TRYING TO BOARD A FAST FREIGHT JESSE WALTZ WAS KILLED

Jesse Waltz was instantly killed near the depot at Jireh Friday, April 26, at 6 p.m., while attempting to board a fast moving through freight.

He had been working at Keeline for about a week and leaving that place shortly after noon walked down the track. It was supposed that he intended to catch the train while it was going slow up the grade at Jireh, but he went too far and the train had got under good headway again before he attempted to board it.

He stood on the platform and taking off one glove he grabbed a gondola car, about midway of the train, the train moving so fast as well as being covered with snow and ice he failed in his attempt to get a footing. He then tried to swing out again and let go but he hit the platform which knocked him under the train.

His body, except his head, which was found some 500 feet down the track near the crossing, was mangled almost beyond recognition. Some parts of the dead man's body were not found until after the snow had all melted away next day.

His classification from Grand Junction, Mesa County, Colo., was found on him. He held an insurance policy with the Pacific Mutual, and was a member of the Eagles lodge in good standing. All efforts to locate any relatives were without success.

A coroner's inquest was held Saturday and funeral services Sunday at Jireh, conducted by the Rev. D. Powell. Some of his fellow workmen from Keeline acted as pallbearers and also sent a nice floral offering.

Interment was at the Jireh cemetery.

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