Conductor Killed

J. K, Webb, of Defiance, O., Meets His Death While Coupling a Preight Train

Freight train No. 92 on the Wabash rail- road pulled into Napoleon about 2 o'olock Tuesday afternoon from the west and was side tracked. A break had been made in the train at Scott street in order that foot and road travel wight cross the tracks. When orders were received to pull out, Conductor Webb started from the caboose to make the coupling; the coupling pin slipped from his hands when the two parts of the train were nearly together. He stooped quickly to get it, lost his balance and before he could recover an upright position the wheels struck him. The cars passed diagonally across the lett side of his neck and face, mangling the face in a terrible manner and nearly severing the head from the body, Mr, Webb was killed instantly.

Word was immediately sent to his home in Defiance, and his son came down on the afternoon train and took the body home were the stricken wife was awaiting it.

Condactor Webb had always stood high in the esteem of the railroad company during his 8 or 10 years service for them, and was a sober and industrious man, and a Mason of a high degree. He leaves a widow and one son, a young man, to mourn his untimely end.

The railroad company is entirely free from blame, as the accident was one of those kind which will occur any time and in an unforeseen manner.