Machinist Found Lifeless on Track

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Axel Adolphson's Body Discovered at East Moline Station in Nick of Time by Engineer to Escape Running Over It.

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Seemed To Be In Trance

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Last Seen Alive in East Moline at 1am-May Have Been Hit While Seated on Platform.

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Axel Adolphson, 19-year-old machinist of East Moline, , was found dead at 5:50 this morning on the tracks of the Rock Island road directly opposite the East Moline passenger depot. Isaac Pickard, engineer of westbound passenger train No. 3, discovered the body lying on the tracks as he slowed down for the station, and he stopped the train in time to prevent his engine, No. 847, from mangling the body.

The heel of the pilot of the engine was over the man's head but not touching it when the train stopped. It was necessary to back to remove the body, which was placed to remove the body, which was placed on a stretcher and laid in baggage car. When this city was reached the police took charge of the remains.

No one saw Adolphson killed, so far as the authorities can learn, and probabilities are death took place some two hours before the body was discovered. Those who saw Adolphson last evening say he acted strangely, much like a man who had been "doped." The supposition is he was struck by one of the many freight trains which pass during the night.

The only other passenger train on this track was No. 5, westbound, which passed about 2:35 this morning, and it is not likely Adolphson was killed so early. East Moline is only a flag station for No. 3, and had it not been that there were passengers for the suburb, the train would have been going at such a rate of speed that Engineer Pickard could not have stopped after noticing the body in time to prevent striking it. In that case it would have been mangled beyond recognition.

Adolphson went to East Moline on an interurban car late last evening and asked to be let off at Ninth street. The conductor forgot the request and carried him to Watertown and back to East Moline, and adolphson left the car at Ninth street. The conductor says he acted as though "doped." and Frank Pressel, night foreman for the Union Malleable Iron Co. Who saw him later about the plant says his action were peculiar.

J.A. Peterson, night engineer in charge of the pumps at the ditch opposite the Rock Island depot, crossed the railroad tracks about 1 this morning. Adolphson was then standing east of the station near the road crossing. Peterson flashed the lantern which he was carrying to see if the man was an acquaintance.

When Engineer Pickard stopped his train he called Conductor John C. McCall forward with signal whistles. Adolphson when lay face downward between the outside rail of the westbound track and the station platform with his head toward the east. He might have been dozing on the edge of the platform-which is six or seven inches higher than the tracks, when a passing train hit him.

One side of his head was crushed and the injury to his brain must have caused instant death. His right leg and foot were also badly mangled. There was a large pool of blood under the head, and the edge of the station platform opposite the head was splattered with blood. An unlighted cigar with the end chewed lay beside his head. On the platform was a small grip which he carried earlier in the night.

Axel Adolphson was born April 19, 1886, in Sweden, and came to this country only two years ago last May. He resided till tow months ago with his aunt, Mrs. Mary adophson, at 1505 Seventh street. Then he moved to East Moline because his aunt's home was so remote from his work.

The Dispatch

03 Oct 1905, Tue-Page 5