Dick Purcell, a Great Northern passenger brakeman, had both feet cut off at
Hillsboro. When the train pulled into the station, they ran by the water tank about the length of a car. Brakeman Purcell went to the rear end of the dining car to take off the "markers" (the colored lights that are carried on the rear of all trains), and as the car was
vestibuled, stepped on to the drawhead to reach for the light. After he had secured the light he lost his footing and fell under the car which was being backed up slowly to the depot, the wheels cutting off his left foot above the ankle, and cutting the toes off the right.
Bismarck Tribune, 9/1/1899
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WILLOW CITY PLACES STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
Willow City, N.D., July 10.—During the heaviest rain in the history of this community when a fall of three inches was reported in five hours, the home of Dr. Youtz was struck by lightning. Mrs. Youtz was in the act of kindling a fire when the bolt came down the chimney and knocked the blazing match from her hand. Another bolt struck the belfry of the city school, and a third killed a valuable horse in Mayor Cooke's pasture.
Grand Forks Herald, 7/10/1917
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LITERALLY CUT TO PIECES.
Two Boys Dashed to Pieces Down a Montana Mountain Side.
Butte, Mont., Kuly 3—A frightful accident occurred at Meaderville, Mont. While some boys were riding from Centerville to Meaderville on flat cars they flew the track, rolling down the mountain side, instantly killing James Henry Burns, aged 13, and Joseph Green, aged 14. The other boy escaped injury. Two brakemen had their arms broken. The remains of the boys were literally cut to pieces.
Jamestown Weekly Alert, 7/5/1888
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Beckman's Nose Torn Open.
John Beckman jumped from a box car at Sawyer on the Fourth and his nose caught a nail. The proboscis was torn open its full length and the man was taken to Velva, where five stitches were necessary to patch up John's smeller.
Ward County Independent, 7/12/1905
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A number of young ladies took advantage of the cool evening yesterday and motored out to the home of R. H. Burbidge, where they indulged in a picnic supper, the lawn being used as the table which was spread with no small amount of good things that make up a picnic supper. After the repast the girls found great amusement in exploring the woods. At a late hour they returned to town. The out-of-town guest was Miss Bolstad of
Foston, Minn.
Grand Forks Herald, 7/28/1916
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The body of an unknown man was discovered in the Missouri river about 12 miles east of this place Tuesday. When found the body was partially in the water and so decomposed as to be unrecognizable. Wolves had torn the head off and a part of the skull was found a number of rods away, while the jaw bone was still further distant, much of the body too, had been eaten. The man was seemingly about thirty-five years of age, and was dressed in duck or overalling, but there was nothing further on the body with which to identify it. It is thought to be the body of a man seen several times in the same locality, and who, from his actions, was supposed to be insane. If this is true, the man probably starved to death.
Williston Graphic, 9/27/1900
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