PHILLIP KAHL
Monoxide Fatal to Phil Kahl as He Works Over Car
WIFE FINDS BODY SLUMPED OVER CAR SEAT
Deceased, Despite Loss of Limbs In Switching Accident,
Continued Work at Northwestern Here
Overcome by carbon monoxide gas as he labored over the engine of his sedan,
in the garage, at the rear of the home, 1601 Columbus street, Phil Kahl, 54,
veteran Northwestern employee was found dead shortly before ten o'clock last
night by his wife, as she, with her daughter, returned home from a church
function.
Mrs. Kahl found the body of her husband slumped over the front seat of the
machine, and with the engine running and garage doors closed. He told her at
seven in the evening as she left the house, that he planned to clean and
replace the spark plugs in the car and it is believed that he had started the
motor to ascertain if the cleaned plugs were functioning properly and had
neglected to open the garage doors. The deadly monoxide gas overcame him
before he could turn off the ignition switch and open the garage doors.
No Inquest Says Coroner
Mrs. Kahl summoned a physician immediately who pronounced Mr. Kahl dead.
Coroner W. G. Kemper was notified but after hearing the circumstances decided
that the death was due to an accident and that no inquest would be necessary.
Funeral services for Mr. Kahl will take place Thursday afternoon at two o'clock
from the St. John's Evangelical church. The remains will be removed to the Kahl
home from the Pfeffer parlors tomorrow.
The death of Mr. Kahl marked the passing of a man who had persevered over
physical disability to continue to provide for his wife and family. Engaged in
railroading since he came to Manitowoc as a young man back in 1898, Mr. Kahl
was the victim of a serious accident in the lake front yards of the Northwestern
in the summer of 1910. He was a member of the switching crew there and was caught
between a string of cars and his legs were so badly crushed that they had to be
amputated. He was confined in the hospital for months and finally was able to
leave and by means of a special wheel contrivance got about the city.
Returns To Work as Clerk
Later he was able to make his way with the aid of two canes and he again entered
the employ of the Northwestern road as a clerk in the local freight offices, where
he continued to work for nineteen years, up to the time of his death. The deceased
was born in Marinette, Sept. 26, 1876, and came to Manitowoc with his family in
1898. His father, H.F. Kahl, himself an old railroad man, is still living, being
81 years of age. He was here only a few days ago from his home at Fort Atkinson,
Wis., for a visit with his son.
The deceased was married to Miss Louise Schultz, in this city on June 6, 1900.
She survives him with two sons, Robert of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Ralph of
Milwaukee, and one daughter, Miss Grace, at home, the aged father H. F. Kahl and
a sister, Miss Edith Kahl at Fort Atkinson, Wis., and one other sister. Mrs. John
McWhorter of Crystal Falls, Ill. There is also one brother, William of Clintonville,
Wis.
Had warned Family of Danger
The death of Mr. Kahl was a severe shock to his wife who remarked that her husband
had always warned her and the children about starting the motor of the car in the
garage before the doors were opened. She said that on entering the house and finding
Mr. Kahl absent her first thought was of the garage and her fears that he had been
overcome were confirmed when she heard the sound of a droning motor from the garage
at the rear.
After forcing her way in she found Mr. Kahl slumped over the front seat near the
steering wheel as if he had been overcome as he was reaching in to shut off the
spark. Despite his physical handicaps Mr. Kahl had always insisted on doing the
repair work about the family automobile and had told his wife and daughter as they
left the house last night at seven o'clock that he would be busied changing the
spark plugs in the machine.
The deceased was a member of the local railroad clerks' organization.
Manitowoc Herald News, June 3, 1930 P. 1
********
[Philip Kahl/bur. 6-5-1930/age 54 yrs/cause: monoxide poisoning-accidental]
(d. 2 June 1930/age 54 yrs. 8 mo. 7 da./St. John's United Church of Christ)
********
LOSES BOTH LEGS UNDER CAR WHEELS
Phillip Kahl, C & NW Brakeman, Victim of Terrible Accident
MISSES FOOTING, FALLS UNDER CARS
With both legs amputated just below the hips, Phillip Kahl, a Chicago &
Northwestern brakeman with switching crews in the local yards of the company,
is battling for life at the Holy Family hospital, with all against him. Mr.
Kahl was injured in an accident at the lake front yards of the company early
Sunday morning when he fell under a train of cars, three of which passed over
his body, severing his legs and mangled the lower portion of his body in a
terrible manner.
No one witnessed the terrible accident which happened at 9:30 Sunday morning
while Kahl, with his crew, was engaged in switching cars for the car ferries
at the lake front yards of the C & NW. The engine had backed upon Track No. 1
to uncouple a number of cars and Kahl had made the coupling. The engine proceeded
ahead and it was discovered that Kahl was not with the section and when fellow
brakemen returned to seek him, the unfortunate man was found lying on the track,
his legs cut and body mangled. Kahl, after uncoupling the cars attempted to board
the train and grasped the iron ladder at the side of a car seeking to find a
footing on the boxes of the wheels which is the manner usual to brakemen boarding
moving cars. In some way his foot missed the box and he was drawn under the moving
car and onto the track with the tragic result.
Several minutes elapsed after the accident before Kahl was missed by the train
men and search made for him and Kahl lost a large amount of blood. Dr. Pritchard,
the resident physician of the Northwestern company, was summoned and a call was
sent for the ambulance. Kahl was removed to the Holy Family Hospital where
investigation revealed that both legs had been severed and amputation was necessary
just below the hips that Kahl, even should he survive, will be unable to wear
artificial limbs. Everything possible was done for the injured man who withstood
the terrible ordeal far better than could be expected.
Mr. Kahl was in charge of an engine for a fellow employe Sunday. The regular foreman
desired a day off and Mr. Kahl, whose day it was to be on duty, was asked to take
charge of the engine and crew and he consented. Mr. Kahl, the second brakeman of
the crew, is comparatively a new man in the local yards and was working with Kahl
for the first time. It was he who missed Kahl and made the search that revealed the
injured man lying on the tracks. Kahl's first words were an inquiry for his wife and
children and caution that the news of the accident be broken as easily as possible.
That Kahl was not killed outright is little short of a miracle with the heavy cars
passing over his body. The fact that he retained his hold on the rung of the ladder
at the side of the car prevented the body being drawn under the wheels further. Had
the wheels passed over the body just a trifle higher up, death would have been instant.
The accident is one of those which occur from the dangers of work which the victim
followed. The sight of the injured man mangled was one to move the heart. The accident
is the first of its kind in the yards here in some time.
Mr. Kahl has been an employee of the Chicago & Northwestern Co. for twelve years and
for eleven years had been working in the local yards, preferring to remain in the
city because he had his home here. He is 37 years of age and was married some years
ago to Miss Louise Schultz and the couple have three children. Mr. Kahl is one of the
most popular employees of the Northwestern line in this city and the terrible accident
which has befallen him calls for the sympathy of innumerable friends in the community
at large. At the hospital today it was said Mr. Kahl had passed a good night, resting
easily and that his condition was most encouraging and physicians are hopeful that he
may survive. The injured man is strong and robust health in this stood him in good
stead in withstanding the shock of the accident and injury. Mr. Kahl and family resided
at 17th and Columbus Streets.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Mon., July 18, 1910
Monoxide Fatal to Phil Kahl as He Works Over Car
WIFE FINDS BODY SLUMPED OVER CAR SEAT
Deceased, Despite Loss of Limbs In Switching Accident,
Continued Work at Northwestern Here
Overcome by carbon monoxide gas as he labored over the engine of his sedan,
in the garage, at the rear of the home, 1601 Columbus street, Phil Kahl, 54,
veteran Northwestern employee was found dead shortly before ten o'clock last
night by his wife, as she, with her daughter, returned home from a church
function.
Mrs. Kahl found the body of her husband slumped over the front seat of the
machine, and with the engine running and garage doors closed. He told her at
seven in the evening as she left the house, that he planned to clean and
replace the spark plugs in the car and it is believed that he had started the
motor to ascertain if the cleaned plugs were functioning properly and had
neglected to open the garage doors. The deadly monoxide gas overcame him
before he could turn off the ignition switch and open the garage doors.
No Inquest Says Coroner
Mrs. Kahl summoned a physician immediately who pronounced Mr. Kahl dead.
Coroner W. G. Kemper was notified but after hearing the circumstances decided
that the death was due to an accident and that no inquest would be necessary.
Funeral services for Mr. Kahl will take place Thursday afternoon at two o'clock
from the St. John's Evangelical church. The remains will be removed to the Kahl
home from the Pfeffer parlors tomorrow.
The death of Mr. Kahl marked the passing of a man who had persevered over
physical disability to continue to provide for his wife and family. Engaged in
railroading since he came to Manitowoc as a young man back in 1898, Mr. Kahl
was the victim of a serious accident in the lake front yards of the Northwestern
in the summer of 1910. He was a member of the switching crew there and was caught
between a string of cars and his legs were so badly crushed that they had to be
amputated. He was confined in the hospital for months and finally was able to
leave and by means of a special wheel contrivance got about the city.
Returns To Work as Clerk
Later he was able to make his way with the aid of two canes and he again entered
the employ of the Northwestern road as a clerk in the local freight offices, where
he continued to work for nineteen years, up to the time of his death. The deceased
was born in Marinette, Sept. 26, 1876, and came to Manitowoc with his family in
1898. His father, H.F. Kahl, himself an old railroad man, is still living, being
81 years of age. He was here only a few days ago from his home at Fort Atkinson,
Wis., for a visit with his son.
The deceased was married to Miss Louise Schultz, in this city on June 6, 1900.
She survives him with two sons, Robert of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Ralph of
Milwaukee, and one daughter, Miss Grace, at home, the aged father H. F. Kahl and
a sister, Miss Edith Kahl at Fort Atkinson, Wis., and one other sister. Mrs. John
McWhorter of Crystal Falls, Ill. There is also one brother, William of Clintonville,
Wis.
Had warned Family of Danger
The death of Mr. Kahl was a severe shock to his wife who remarked that her husband
had always warned her and the children about starting the motor of the car in the
garage before the doors were opened. She said that on entering the house and finding
Mr. Kahl absent her first thought was of the garage and her fears that he had been
overcome were confirmed when she heard the sound of a droning motor from the garage
at the rear.
After forcing her way in she found Mr. Kahl slumped over the front seat near the
steering wheel as if he had been overcome as he was reaching in to shut off the
spark. Despite his physical handicaps Mr. Kahl had always insisted on doing the
repair work about the family automobile and had told his wife and daughter as they
left the house last night at seven o'clock that he would be busied changing the
spark plugs in the machine.
The deceased was a member of the local railroad clerks' organization.
Manitowoc Herald News, June 3, 1930 P. 1
********
[Philip Kahl/bur. 6-5-1930/age 54 yrs/cause: monoxide poisoning-accidental]
(d. 2 June 1930/age 54 yrs. 8 mo. 7 da./St. John's United Church of Christ)
********
LOSES BOTH LEGS UNDER CAR WHEELS
Phillip Kahl, C & NW Brakeman, Victim of Terrible Accident
MISSES FOOTING, FALLS UNDER CARS
With both legs amputated just below the hips, Phillip Kahl, a Chicago &
Northwestern brakeman with switching crews in the local yards of the company,
is battling for life at the Holy Family hospital, with all against him. Mr.
Kahl was injured in an accident at the lake front yards of the company early
Sunday morning when he fell under a train of cars, three of which passed over
his body, severing his legs and mangled the lower portion of his body in a
terrible manner.
No one witnessed the terrible accident which happened at 9:30 Sunday morning
while Kahl, with his crew, was engaged in switching cars for the car ferries
at the lake front yards of the C & NW. The engine had backed upon Track No. 1
to uncouple a number of cars and Kahl had made the coupling. The engine proceeded
ahead and it was discovered that Kahl was not with the section and when fellow
brakemen returned to seek him, the unfortunate man was found lying on the track,
his legs cut and body mangled. Kahl, after uncoupling the cars attempted to board
the train and grasped the iron ladder at the side of a car seeking to find a
footing on the boxes of the wheels which is the manner usual to brakemen boarding
moving cars. In some way his foot missed the box and he was drawn under the moving
car and onto the track with the tragic result.
Several minutes elapsed after the accident before Kahl was missed by the train
men and search made for him and Kahl lost a large amount of blood. Dr. Pritchard,
the resident physician of the Northwestern company, was summoned and a call was
sent for the ambulance. Kahl was removed to the Holy Family Hospital where
investigation revealed that both legs had been severed and amputation was necessary
just below the hips that Kahl, even should he survive, will be unable to wear
artificial limbs. Everything possible was done for the injured man who withstood
the terrible ordeal far better than could be expected.
Mr. Kahl was in charge of an engine for a fellow employe Sunday. The regular foreman
desired a day off and Mr. Kahl, whose day it was to be on duty, was asked to take
charge of the engine and crew and he consented. Mr. Kahl, the second brakeman of
the crew, is comparatively a new man in the local yards and was working with Kahl
for the first time. It was he who missed Kahl and made the search that revealed the
injured man lying on the tracks. Kahl's first words were an inquiry for his wife and
children and caution that the news of the accident be broken as easily as possible.
That Kahl was not killed outright is little short of a miracle with the heavy cars
passing over his body. The fact that he retained his hold on the rung of the ladder
at the side of the car prevented the body being drawn under the wheels further. Had
the wheels passed over the body just a trifle higher up, death would have been instant.
The accident is one of those which occur from the dangers of work which the victim
followed. The sight of the injured man mangled was one to move the heart. The accident
is the first of its kind in the yards here in some time.
Mr. Kahl has been an employee of the Chicago & Northwestern Co. for twelve years and
for eleven years had been working in the local yards, preferring to remain in the
city because he had his home here. He is 37 years of age and was married some years
ago to Miss Louise Schultz and the couple have three children. Mr. Kahl is one of the
most popular employees of the Northwestern line in this city and the terrible accident
which has befallen him calls for the sympathy of innumerable friends in the community
at large. At the hospital today it was said Mr. Kahl had passed a good night, resting
easily and that his condition was most encouraging and physicians are hopeful that he
may survive. The injured man is strong and robust health in this stood him in good
stead in withstanding the shock of the accident and injury. Mr. Kahl and family resided
at 17th and Columbus Streets.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Mon., July 18, 1910
PHILLIP KAHL
Monoxide Fatal to Phil Kahl as He Works Over Car
WIFE FINDS BODY SLUMPED OVER CAR SEAT
Deceased, Despite Loss of Limbs In Switching Accident,
Continued Work at Northwestern Here
Overcome by carbon monoxide gas as he labored over the engine of his sedan,
in the garage, at the rear of the home, 1601 Columbus street, Phil Kahl, 54,
veteran Northwestern employee was found dead shortly before ten o'clock last
night by his wife, as she, with her daughter, returned home from a church
function.
Mrs. Kahl found the body of her husband slumped over the front seat of the
machine, and with the engine running and garage doors closed. He told her at
seven in the evening as she left the house, that he planned to clean and
replace the spark plugs in the car and it is believed that he had started the
motor to ascertain if the cleaned plugs were functioning properly and had
neglected to open the garage doors. The deadly monoxide gas overcame him
before he could turn off the ignition switch and open the garage doors.
No Inquest Says Coroner
Mrs. Kahl summoned a physician immediately who pronounced Mr. Kahl dead.
Coroner W. G. Kemper was notified but after hearing the circumstances decided
that the death was due to an accident and that no inquest would be necessary.
Funeral services for Mr. Kahl will take place Thursday afternoon at two o'clock
from the St. John's Evangelical church. The remains will be removed to the Kahl
home from the Pfeffer parlors tomorrow.
The death of Mr. Kahl marked the passing of a man who had persevered over
physical disability to continue to provide for his wife and family. Engaged in
railroading since he came to Manitowoc as a young man back in 1898, Mr. Kahl
was the victim of a serious accident in the lake front yards of the Northwestern
in the summer of 1910. He was a member of the switching crew there and was caught
between a string of cars and his legs were so badly crushed that they had to be
amputated. He was confined in the hospital for months and finally was able to
leave and by means of a special wheel contrivance got about the city.
Returns To Work as Clerk
Later he was able to make his way with the aid of two canes and he again entered
the employ of the Northwestern road as a clerk in the local freight offices, where
he continued to work for nineteen years, up to the time of his death. The deceased
was born in Marinette, Sept. 26, 1876, and came to Manitowoc with his family in
1898. His father, H.F. Kahl, himself an old railroad man, is still living, being
81 years of age. He was here only a few days ago from his home at Fort Atkinson,
Wis., for a visit with his son.
The deceased was married to Miss Louise Schultz, in this city on June 6, 1900.
She survives him with two sons, Robert of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Ralph of
Milwaukee, and one daughter, Miss Grace, at home, the aged father H. F. Kahl and
a sister, Miss Edith Kahl at Fort Atkinson, Wis., and one other sister. Mrs. John
McWhorter of Crystal Falls, Ill. There is also one brother, William of Clintonville,
Wis.
Had warned Family of Danger
The death of Mr. Kahl was a severe shock to his wife who remarked that her husband
had always warned her and the children about starting the motor of the car in the
garage before the doors were opened. She said that on entering the house and finding
Mr. Kahl absent her first thought was of the garage and her fears that he had been
overcome were confirmed when she heard the sound of a droning motor from the garage
at the rear.
After forcing her way in she found Mr. Kahl slumped over the front seat near the
steering wheel as if he had been overcome as he was reaching in to shut off the
spark. Despite his physical handicaps Mr. Kahl had always insisted on doing the
repair work about the family automobile and had told his wife and daughter as they
left the house last night at seven o'clock that he would be busied changing the
spark plugs in the machine.
The deceased was a member of the local railroad clerks' organization.
Manitowoc Herald News, June 3, 1930 P. 1
********
[Philip Kahl/bur. 6-5-1930/age 54 yrs/cause: monoxide poisoning-accidental]
(d. 2 June 1930/age 54 yrs. 8 mo. 7 da./St. John's United Church of Christ)
********
LOSES BOTH LEGS UNDER CAR WHEELS
Phillip Kahl, C & NW Brakeman, Victim of Terrible Accident
MISSES FOOTING, FALLS UNDER CARS
With both legs amputated just below the hips, Phillip Kahl, a Chicago &
Northwestern brakeman with switching crews in the local yards of the company,
is battling for life at the Holy Family hospital, with all against him. Mr.
Kahl was injured in an accident at the lake front yards of the company early
Sunday morning when he fell under a train of cars, three of which passed over
his body, severing his legs and mangled the lower portion of his body in a
terrible manner.
No one witnessed the terrible accident which happened at 9:30 Sunday morning
while Kahl, with his crew, was engaged in switching cars for the car ferries
at the lake front yards of the C & NW. The engine had backed upon Track No. 1
to uncouple a number of cars and Kahl had made the coupling. The engine proceeded
ahead and it was discovered that Kahl was not with the section and when fellow
brakemen returned to seek him, the unfortunate man was found lying on the track,
his legs cut and body mangled. Kahl, after uncoupling the cars attempted to board
the train and grasped the iron ladder at the side of a car seeking to find a
footing on the boxes of the wheels which is the manner usual to brakemen boarding
moving cars. In some way his foot missed the box and he was drawn under the moving
car and onto the track with the tragic result.
Several minutes elapsed after the accident before Kahl was missed by the train
men and search made for him and Kahl lost a large amount of blood. Dr. Pritchard,
the resident physician of the Northwestern company, was summoned and a call was
sent for the ambulance. Kahl was removed to the Holy Family Hospital where
investigation revealed that both legs had been severed and amputation was necessary
just below the hips that Kahl, even should he survive, will be unable to wear
artificial limbs. Everything possible was done for the injured man who withstood
the terrible ordeal far better than could be expected.
Mr. Kahl was in charge of an engine for a fellow employe Sunday. The regular foreman
desired a day off and Mr. Kahl, whose day it was to be on duty, was asked to take
charge of the engine and crew and he consented. Mr. Kahl, the second brakeman of
the crew, is comparatively a new man in the local yards and was working with Kahl
for the first time. It was he who missed Kahl and made the search that revealed the
injured man lying on the tracks. Kahl's first words were an inquiry for his wife and
children and caution that the news of the accident be broken as easily as possible.
That Kahl was not killed outright is little short of a miracle with the heavy cars
passing over his body. The fact that he retained his hold on the rung of the ladder
at the side of the car prevented the body being drawn under the wheels further. Had
the wheels passed over the body just a trifle higher up, death would have been instant.
The accident is one of those which occur from the dangers of work which the victim
followed. The sight of the injured man mangled was one to move the heart. The accident
is the first of its kind in the yards here in some time.
Mr. Kahl has been an employee of the Chicago & Northwestern Co. for twelve years and
for eleven years had been working in the local yards, preferring to remain in the
city because he had his home here. He is 37 years of age and was married some years
ago to Miss Louise Schultz and the couple have three children. Mr. Kahl is one of the
most popular employees of the Northwestern line in this city and the terrible accident
which has befallen him calls for the sympathy of innumerable friends in the community
at large. At the hospital today it was said Mr. Kahl had passed a good night, resting
easily and that his condition was most encouraging and physicians are hopeful that he
may survive. The injured man is strong and robust health in this stood him in good
stead in withstanding the shock of the accident and injury. Mr. Kahl and family resided
at 17th and Columbus Streets.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Mon., July 18, 1910
Monoxide Fatal to Phil Kahl as He Works Over Car
WIFE FINDS BODY SLUMPED OVER CAR SEAT
Deceased, Despite Loss of Limbs In Switching Accident,
Continued Work at Northwestern Here
Overcome by carbon monoxide gas as he labored over the engine of his sedan,
in the garage, at the rear of the home, 1601 Columbus street, Phil Kahl, 54,
veteran Northwestern employee was found dead shortly before ten o'clock last
night by his wife, as she, with her daughter, returned home from a church
function.
Mrs. Kahl found the body of her husband slumped over the front seat of the
machine, and with the engine running and garage doors closed. He told her at
seven in the evening as she left the house, that he planned to clean and
replace the spark plugs in the car and it is believed that he had started the
motor to ascertain if the cleaned plugs were functioning properly and had
neglected to open the garage doors. The deadly monoxide gas overcame him
before he could turn off the ignition switch and open the garage doors.
No Inquest Says Coroner
Mrs. Kahl summoned a physician immediately who pronounced Mr. Kahl dead.
Coroner W. G. Kemper was notified but after hearing the circumstances decided
that the death was due to an accident and that no inquest would be necessary.
Funeral services for Mr. Kahl will take place Thursday afternoon at two o'clock
from the St. John's Evangelical church. The remains will be removed to the Kahl
home from the Pfeffer parlors tomorrow.
The death of Mr. Kahl marked the passing of a man who had persevered over
physical disability to continue to provide for his wife and family. Engaged in
railroading since he came to Manitowoc as a young man back in 1898, Mr. Kahl
was the victim of a serious accident in the lake front yards of the Northwestern
in the summer of 1910. He was a member of the switching crew there and was caught
between a string of cars and his legs were so badly crushed that they had to be
amputated. He was confined in the hospital for months and finally was able to
leave and by means of a special wheel contrivance got about the city.
Returns To Work as Clerk
Later he was able to make his way with the aid of two canes and he again entered
the employ of the Northwestern road as a clerk in the local freight offices, where
he continued to work for nineteen years, up to the time of his death. The deceased
was born in Marinette, Sept. 26, 1876, and came to Manitowoc with his family in
1898. His father, H.F. Kahl, himself an old railroad man, is still living, being
81 years of age. He was here only a few days ago from his home at Fort Atkinson,
Wis., for a visit with his son.
The deceased was married to Miss Louise Schultz, in this city on June 6, 1900.
She survives him with two sons, Robert of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Ralph of
Milwaukee, and one daughter, Miss Grace, at home, the aged father H. F. Kahl and
a sister, Miss Edith Kahl at Fort Atkinson, Wis., and one other sister. Mrs. John
McWhorter of Crystal Falls, Ill. There is also one brother, William of Clintonville,
Wis.
Had warned Family of Danger
The death of Mr. Kahl was a severe shock to his wife who remarked that her husband
had always warned her and the children about starting the motor of the car in the
garage before the doors were opened. She said that on entering the house and finding
Mr. Kahl absent her first thought was of the garage and her fears that he had been
overcome were confirmed when she heard the sound of a droning motor from the garage
at the rear.
After forcing her way in she found Mr. Kahl slumped over the front seat near the
steering wheel as if he had been overcome as he was reaching in to shut off the
spark. Despite his physical handicaps Mr. Kahl had always insisted on doing the
repair work about the family automobile and had told his wife and daughter as they
left the house last night at seven o'clock that he would be busied changing the
spark plugs in the machine.
The deceased was a member of the local railroad clerks' organization.
Manitowoc Herald News, June 3, 1930 P. 1
********
[Philip Kahl/bur. 6-5-1930/age 54 yrs/cause: monoxide poisoning-accidental]
(d. 2 June 1930/age 54 yrs. 8 mo. 7 da./St. John's United Church of Christ)
********
LOSES BOTH LEGS UNDER CAR WHEELS
Phillip Kahl, C & NW Brakeman, Victim of Terrible Accident
MISSES FOOTING, FALLS UNDER CARS
With both legs amputated just below the hips, Phillip Kahl, a Chicago &
Northwestern brakeman with switching crews in the local yards of the company,
is battling for life at the Holy Family hospital, with all against him. Mr.
Kahl was injured in an accident at the lake front yards of the company early
Sunday morning when he fell under a train of cars, three of which passed over
his body, severing his legs and mangled the lower portion of his body in a
terrible manner.
No one witnessed the terrible accident which happened at 9:30 Sunday morning
while Kahl, with his crew, was engaged in switching cars for the car ferries
at the lake front yards of the C & NW. The engine had backed upon Track No. 1
to uncouple a number of cars and Kahl had made the coupling. The engine proceeded
ahead and it was discovered that Kahl was not with the section and when fellow
brakemen returned to seek him, the unfortunate man was found lying on the track,
his legs cut and body mangled. Kahl, after uncoupling the cars attempted to board
the train and grasped the iron ladder at the side of a car seeking to find a
footing on the boxes of the wheels which is the manner usual to brakemen boarding
moving cars. In some way his foot missed the box and he was drawn under the moving
car and onto the track with the tragic result.
Several minutes elapsed after the accident before Kahl was missed by the train
men and search made for him and Kahl lost a large amount of blood. Dr. Pritchard,
the resident physician of the Northwestern company, was summoned and a call was
sent for the ambulance. Kahl was removed to the Holy Family Hospital where
investigation revealed that both legs had been severed and amputation was necessary
just below the hips that Kahl, even should he survive, will be unable to wear
artificial limbs. Everything possible was done for the injured man who withstood
the terrible ordeal far better than could be expected.
Mr. Kahl was in charge of an engine for a fellow employe Sunday. The regular foreman
desired a day off and Mr. Kahl, whose day it was to be on duty, was asked to take
charge of the engine and crew and he consented. Mr. Kahl, the second brakeman of
the crew, is comparatively a new man in the local yards and was working with Kahl
for the first time. It was he who missed Kahl and made the search that revealed the
injured man lying on the tracks. Kahl's first words were an inquiry for his wife and
children and caution that the news of the accident be broken as easily as possible.
That Kahl was not killed outright is little short of a miracle with the heavy cars
passing over his body. The fact that he retained his hold on the rung of the ladder
at the side of the car prevented the body being drawn under the wheels further. Had
the wheels passed over the body just a trifle higher up, death would have been instant.
The accident is one of those which occur from the dangers of work which the victim
followed. The sight of the injured man mangled was one to move the heart. The accident
is the first of its kind in the yards here in some time.
Mr. Kahl has been an employee of the Chicago & Northwestern Co. for twelve years and
for eleven years had been working in the local yards, preferring to remain in the
city because he had his home here. He is 37 years of age and was married some years
ago to Miss Louise Schultz and the couple have three children. Mr. Kahl is one of the
most popular employees of the Northwestern line in this city and the terrible accident
which has befallen him calls for the sympathy of innumerable friends in the community
at large. At the hospital today it was said Mr. Kahl had passed a good night, resting
easily and that his condition was most encouraging and physicians are hopeful that he
may survive. The injured man is strong and robust health in this stood him in good
stead in withstanding the shock of the accident and injury. Mr. Kahl and family resided
at 17th and Columbus Streets.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Mon., July 18, 1910
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