Bonner County John Doe was a man who was killed by a train in Sandpoint, Idaho at around 9:00 PM on May 19, 1907.
Case[]
The victim was standing on the side of the railroad tracks three quarters of a mile west of the old Great Northern depot when he came across an east-bound train called "Dinky." He asked a brakeman of the freight if the train stopped at the point where the old depot used to be. The brakeman stated they were not and then the victim struck east to race the train to the depot. "Dinky" overtook him and he either attempted to board the train or became confused. He was then run over, dragged several yards, and terribly mangled; his legs and one arm were cut off and the wheels crushed through his vital organs. Passengers on the train felt the train running the victim over. The engineer slowed the train down, but did not recover the body until they reached the old depot. The body remained there until then-Coroner Dr. Hope arrived from Hope, Idaho the next morning.
Dr. Hope determined the victim was killed on accident and that an inquest was unnecessary. The victim's body was then sent to Undertaker Brower who buried him at the county's expense at the Lakeview Cemetery in Sandpoint the next day. Brower was unable to determine the victim's identity. Although a letter addressed to J.M. Ferguson, who was apparently a shingle weaver, was found on him, friends of Ferguson failed to recognize the victim as him.
Characteristics[]
- Sandy mustache.
- Stocky build.
Accessories[]
- Letter addressed to J.M. Ferguson.
- Small book with the name "Art Gordon." It is believed the name was written down as a memorandum.
- Fifty-five cents.