100 years ago: Attempt at train-hopping nearly ends in tragedy

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for June 23, 1911:

  • “Attempting to catch a ride on a train in the Union Pacific yards this morning came very near resulting disastrously to a small boy who was waiting for his papers from Kansas City. The youth attempted to catch the Leavenworth train this morning as it was backing down the tracks to the water tower. In some way he miscalculated the speed at which the train was traveling and was thrown to the ground. He fell only a few inches from the wheels of the car but escaped uninjured except for a few minor scratches. It was a close call and it is a safe bet that he will not attempt to steal a ride for some time.”
  • “Today was another warm one and the indications give hopes for very little relief. The official readings on the hill: 9 p.m. yesterday, 84; 7 a.m. today, 74; 2 p.m. today, 93.”
  • “The Kansas City Navigation company’s steamer, ‘Chester,’ arrived in Kansas City today, bringing the first cargo by river from New Orleans in twenty-five years. The boat is the new tunnel type screw propeller intended to run on a regular schedule between Kansas City and St. Louis in revival of river navigation.”