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The TALES you probably never heard about

JAMES PHILLIPS: EX-COUNCILLOR PHILLIPS KILLED BY TRAIN

[Welland Telegraph, 26 January 1908]

Our Humberstone correspondent writes:

The community was shocked on Sunday morning to learn of the violent death of ex-Councillor James Phillips, who was killed by the cars on Saturday evening. Deceased left the village between five and six o’clock for home, walking by way of the railway from Humberstone station. That was the last he was seen alive. Not arriving home at his usual time the family became alarmed, and about 2 a.m. Sunday morning, Charles, the son, accompanied by Abner Matthews went in search of him. Going up the track, and opposite N. Young’s farm, they were horrified to find the body, frightfully mangled. It is supposed that he was struck by the 6 p.m. train going north Saturday evening, as marks on the track show that the body had been carried or rolled for over 150 yards north from where the first marks of violence were shown. Dr. Hutton, coroner, was summoned but deemed it unnecessary to hold an inquest. Undertaker Wichman then removed the remains to his undertaking rooms to prepare for burial. Deceased leaves to mourn his loss a widow, two sons, Charles at home, and Thomas of Cleveland, and one daughter, Mrs. Fanny Hawkins of Cleveland. The funeral takes place this (Tuesday) afternoon from the house at 1.30, thence to Bethel church for services. Interment at Overholt’s. Deceased was born in Belfast, Ireland, and was in his 69th year.

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