Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 56, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1899 — More About Leo Miller’s Death. [ARTICLE]

More About Leo Miller’s Death.

Bert Brenner, who went to Chicago with Mr. and Mrs. Miller, returned Wednesday, and brought further particulars regarding the method of poor Leo Miller’s sad and tragical death. Leo and his employer and law instructor, Mr. Wight, were coming to their heme on 55th street, on the Illinois Central suburban train, late Monday night, or rather a train which arrives at 57th street at 1 o’clock, Tuesday morning. As they approached the station Leo went to the front platform and Mr. Wight to the rear. Leo, with the recklessness of youth, did not wait until the train reached the platform, but jumped off 100 feet back, and while the train was still moving quite fast. There are gates at the platform of these suburban trains, and the one at the rear platform, where Mr. Wight stood was open, and as it passed Leo, a projecting hook caught his arm, and spun him violently around, and threw him off the side walk, which is elevated some 10 feet above the street below. In falling he struck on the back of his head, breaking the skull and causing instant death. The whole scene was witnessed by Mr. Wight. There were no marks of any kind upon the body, except the one place on the skull. The coroner’s inquest was held Tuesday afternoon, and Wednesday morning, the sorrowing family started with the remains on their sad journey to Litchfield, Michigan, their old home, where the funeral will be held. Mrs, Miller, whose grief and distraction was so great when the news was received as to almost cause fears that her mind would give way under the strain, was still in the same condition when they started for Michigan. They were still accompanied, by Mrs. Woodworth.