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A Pitiable Case

A Pitiable Case image
Parent Issue
Day
11
Month
June
Year
1897
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Herman Hatfield, of Detroit, was killed by au east bound freight train on the Miobigau Central railroad, about tbree miles west of Chelsea, ou Friday afternoon. Conductor Ely reported the case at the Chelsea depot, when the train arrived there and stated that tbe grade was so sleep, being a fall of 31 feet to the mile, tbat they could uot stop the train. The engiue and way oar backed up and bronght the body to Chelsea. He was quite dead and a large hole in his head showed where he had been strnck by the train. Some lettere foand on him showed wbo he was. His case is a very sad one. He was 18 eyars old, the son of George Hatfield, of Detroit. Eight years ago he became subject to epileptic fits. The disease had been his malignant eneruy frorn that day to the honr of his dsath. Years ago his father, then proprietor of a wood-sawiug machine, turned the yonth adrift. This is the testimouy of nunjerous friends of the dead boy. His life since then had been that of an outcast without a home. But the boy, with all his physical affliction, his lack of edncation and his not over-bright mind, had sterling qualities. He would work his fingers to the bone tor those who showed friendship for him. Soine years ago he entered the industrial school, and what little education he possessed was gained there. It was not enough, however, to fit him for better duty than that of laborer. It was his wout to sleep in barns, coal shbds, anywhere to gain a shelter from the cold and wet. In return for this privilege he would do cnoree for the owner. One of his best friends was Mrs. Martha E. Coates, of Detroit, who had pitied his strnggles to gain a livelihood. Two weeks ago last Tuesday the boy received word from bis sister, Mrs. Fred L. Seetzen, of Chicago, that süe wonld provide a home for him, and he packed his few belongings and went to the big city. Wednesday moming of Jast week Mrs. Coates received from him a most pathetic letter. In it he asked for no favors, no money, gave no hint of bitterness with his lot, but on the contrary was jubilant that he had a somewhat better prospect in life and begged warmly to be remembered to all his friends. Evidently he had been nnable to secure work and was on his way back to Detroit when killed. Tbe boy had five brothers, one of töetn younger than Limself. Three are married and one has gone toDakota to ealist in the arroy. They could not help the boy for the reasou that tbey are all very poor themselves. Those who have work are laborera; one is out of work. He also had a half-sister and half-brother, very youDg. Taken altogether it is one of the saddest cases that bas corne under public notice iu a long time.

Article

Subjects
Ann Arbor Argus
Old News