August 18, 1905
IS FOUND DEAD
Flem Stevens Killed by a Missouri Pacific Train.
Flem Stevens, a middle-aged man, whose home was near the Rock Island reservoir, was killed near the Mo. Pac. switch leading to the scale foundry, sometime Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. The body was found by Arthur Stultz, engineer at the foundry, as he was going to work Wednesday morning. It was close to the track and its position was such as to indicate that Stevens had been struck by an east-bound train. The proper authorities were notified and the remains were brought to Parker & Hon's where preparations for burial were made. The coroner's jury made a verdict in accordance with the very evident facts in the case and the body was then taken to the Stevens home; burial was in Lee's Summit cemetery yesterday.
Stevens was a drinking man and had been intoxicated Tuesday. That night he was still under the liquor influence and it is evident that while so, he attempted to go home and so lost his life. He often walked the tracks to his home and, occasionally, when intoxicated, would become confused and as liable to go east as west.
The body was not cut up much, one foot and one hand being crushed, so it is presume that the immediate cause of death was concussion or loss of blood from the wounds which, had he been discovered in time, might have been dressed and thus his life saved. A wife and several children survive Mr. Stevens. He was a member of the Pleasant Hill Camp, Ex-Confederate Veterans, being a veteran of Co. G, 29th Virginia Infantry, under Stonewall Jackson. About 7:30 Tuesday evening his son-in-law tried to induce the old man to go home, but he refused. He then was asked, "Are you going to the Lone Jack picnic tomorrow?" "I don't Know," was the reply. "I may go to hell by that time."
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