From the Evening Telegram -- Dixon, Illinois  --
Thursday Evening, April 8, 1886.
UNDER THE WHEELS  --  TERRIBLE ACCIDENT
     A dispatch from Sterling informs The Telegraph that Isaac Utter, of
Dixon, had both legs crushed off by the cars last night while attempting to
board a moving freight train, about nine o' clock. He fell under the wheels
and the cars passed over his limbs.  The accident occurred, at an
unfrequented place, west of the water tank and therefore the poor man was
not discovered until another freight train passed.  It must have been from
twenty to thirty minutes before he had assistance.  He was taken to a hotel
where his legs were amputated; one below and the other above the knee.
Our dispatch states that the man is doing well; has a good pulse and the
attending physician believes that he will recover.  It is a wonder that he
was alive when found, being so long without assistance after such terrible
wounds.  If it is true, as stated, that the accident resulted from
intoxication, then we may imagine that the same stimulant that caused him
to fall under the train also kept him alive until assistance came.  The
victim has been a resident of this city during the past year,  coming here
from Sterling, we believe.  Last winter he joined the Salvation Army here
but did not remain with the evangelists very long, his habit of drinking
being too strong for him.  Still we believe that he is a hard working and
generally speaking an industrious man.  He lives in Dement Town, where he
has a wife and six children; three boys and three girls.  It is certainly
a very sad case.


From the Sterling Gazette -- Sterling, Illinois -- April 8, 1886:
BOTH LEGS OFF
     Isaac Utter, a good for nothing, worthless speciman of humanity, who
has been known in this city for a number of years, and who has given the
authorities a great deal of trouble at different times,managed to get under
the wheels of a freight train last evening about nine o'clock, and lost
both legs,one being severed above, the other just below the knee.  He was
intoxicated at the time, and therefore can give no intelligent account of
how the accident happened.  It is supposed, however, that he attempted to
board the 8:05 freight going east, which was about an hour late, and
missing his footing fell to the track.  Another freight which passed over
the road about twenty minutes later,having twenty-three cars, passed over
him also.   The engineer on the last named train saw the body lying
near the track, but not soon enough to slacken the train before reaching it.
The almost lifeless body was picked up and carried to the Boynton House,
where both legs were amputated by Dr. A. P.Anthony, about ten o'clock.
It is also thought by the physician that the man's skull is fractured.  At
first it was thought the poor wretch could live but a few hours, but this
morning at seven o'clock, he was much stronger, and all the symptoms for
his recovery were favorable.  The man's family live in Dixon, and it is
supposed he intended to steal a ride to that place on the freight.  He and
his family have been sent from this city several times, but he has always
managed in some way to find his way back.  Had the wheels of the car passed
over his neck instead of his legs, it would have been better for him and
the community.


Sterling Gazette
April 24, 1886
DIED - The man Utter, who was run  over by a C. & N.W. Train some time
since, and who has been lying at the Boynton House in this city, his legs
having been amputated, died yesterday afternoon.
His remains were interred this afternoon, at Prairieville.
The Rev. Norris conducted the services.

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