LON STAPLETON

Father of Five Meets
With Fatal Accident

Lon Stapleton, age 37 years was ground to death beneath the
wheels of a C & O freight train near  Buffalo Tunnel about one
mile east of Paintsville last Thursday morning about 2 a. m. The
mans body was horribly cut and mangled. Both legs were cut off,
his head crushed to a pulp, one eye protruding from its socket
and lying on his cheek, his body otherwise cut and bruised
beyond recognition.

Stapleton, in the company of Max Conley, was enroute home from
Greasy Creek to his home in Bridgeford Addition, when the
accident occurred. As the freight train approached the train
crew noticed him on the track but thought he made a safe
crossing. Later, an investigation proved the train had struck
and killed him. It is the consensus of opinion that he
attempted to cross the track directly in front of the passing
train, but a curve prevented the train crew from seeing the man
in time to stop and prevent the accident.

Both Stapleton and Conley were drinking, it is reported, and
this no doubt, was responsible for Stapleton's death.

Stapleton had been employed by the C&O as a brakeman for a
number of years and at times acted as a special conductor.

Funeral services were held Friday afternoon and the remain
interred at the Huff Cemetery near his home in Bridgeford.

He is survived by his widow and five children, all girls, and
much sympathy is felt for his wife and children.

The Paintsville Herald
Thursday
Oct. 6, 1927

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