SPELLMAN

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 05:52:59 :

The Marin Journal
Thursday, November 6, 1902
page 8

Frank Spellman Killed Thursday at Mill Valley
Was Attempting to Board a Moving Train,
Fell Beneath and Was Crushed to Death

Frank Spellman of San Rafael, a carpenter, but who has been for some time an extra in the San Francisco Fire Department, was crushed beneath a moving train which he was attempting to board at Mill Valley, Thursday evening.

Spellman had lingered outside the depot till the last moment and the train was already moving rapidly when he ran across the road adjoining the old freight shed and attempted to mount the front platform of the last car. His foot slipped and to the horror of the onlookers he plunged head foremost under the cars. Strange to say, he escaped the wheels, but his head became wedged in some inexplicable manner among the beams and springs.

He was dragged several car lengths and his neck was instantly broken, in addition to which his skull was fractured, but the body was not otherwise mutilated. Great difficulty was experienced in releasing it and the trains were considerably delayed.

Conductor Brown, who was in charge of the train, identified the remains.

Coroner Eden was notified and hastened to Mill Valley, taking charge of the body and bringing it to San Rafael, where an inquest was held Monday.

Deceased leaves a widow and 3 children in San Rafael.

At the inquest the Coroner's jury found that deceased had come to his death by an accident in attempting to board a moving train at Mill Valley.

The funeral took place from St. Raphael's Church Monday morning, where a solemn requiem high mass was celebrated for the repose of his soul, the interment being at Mr. Olivet Cemetery.