Porter - Ianthius
Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review - Wed Nov 11, 1914
The horribly mutilated body of Ianthius Porter, a life long resident of this county was found at 9:30 last night on the Vandalia RR near the Walnut Fork trestle two miles north of the city. Porter had apparently been struck by a Vandalia train earlier in the night, but the fact did not become known until south bound freight No 165 was crossing the trestle at 9:30. Whether he had been riding on the train and had fallen beneath the wheels and been ground to death or whether he was struck by a train is a matter of conjecture. The body was so terribly ground up that for a time identification was impossible. Ill health had partially affected Porter's mind and he had disappeared from his home on the corner of North & Walnut Streets Tuesday afternoon. The police had been notified and a search was being made when the finding of the body was reported. From the appearance of the body when discovered, Porter had been dragged down the track and the dismemberment of his body had been made over a stretch of ground 100 yards long. The first intimation of the horrible death was received when Conductor Brown of the freight mentioned had gone back to couple up a break in his train. The trainman accidently noticed a human foot and upon further investigation found the remaining parts of the body scattered along the tracks in the vicinity of the bridge. A farmer living nearby was notified to watch the body and the train proceeded to this city, where the finding of the mangled body was reported to the train dispatcher. A handcar was immediately dispatched to the scene and the body brought to the undertaking establishment of OD Nash. The presence of a notebook with the name William Michael on it for time led to the belief that the victim of the train was Mr. Michael of this city. The two sons of the deceased man identified the body, however and Michael was found down town. Porter was a platerer and had lived in this vicinity all of his life. He is survived by a wife and three children, Clarence and Ernest and Mrs. Elsie Stevens. Three brothers and a sister also survive. Coroner C.W. Howard arrived from Yountsville this morning and began an investigation of the aged man's death. This afternoon witnesses, including the crew of the southbound freight train were to be examined by the coroner. It is presumed the verdict will state only that Mr. Porter came to his death accidently.