Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Dunston, John James June 23, 1891
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Robert Woolfitt http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008401 July 6, 2025, 1:24 pm

Norfolk Virginian June 25, 1891
Yesterday morning, City Coroner E. V. Newton and the following jury:— E. L. C. 
Manning, foreman; C. R. Camp, W. L. Wilkinson, Charles Ruddick, Claude West, and 
D. H. Maynard — viewed the mangled remains of the body run over by train No. 14, 
at the Norfolk, Albemarle and Atlantic depot, Tuesday night, on the trestle, 
about fifty yards from the passenger depot. The examination of the body was made 
on the platform, where it had been carried the preceding night.
At about 11:30, the coroner's in-quest was held at the High Constable's office. 
John Wiley, brake¬man on the train, testified to about the same as contained in 
yesterday's VIRGINIAN, stating that the engine, to which was attached three 
cars, was backing out from the depot at 10 o'clock, and he was standing on the 
rear platform. Lying between the guard and rail he saw a dark object, but could 
not tell what it was, although he did not think it was a man. He, however, 
called to the engineer, and endeavored to pull his bell, but the rope caught, 
and he did not know whether the engineer had warning or not.
Being cross-examined he said: “A red light was burning on the rear of the train. 
If the engineer had had warning, I don't think he could have stopped the train. 
It is a common occurrence for persons to walk on the trestle. Before the train 
was stopped the rear car had passed about 20 feet on the other side of the 
body.”
A. M. Gibbs, the engineer, was called and testified that he felt a jar and 
stopped the engine. Looking out, he found the mutilated remains. He said he had 
no warning. If he had, the train could have been stopped without going one car 
length further after the signal.
Mr. T. L. Bailey, who contracts for painting jobs, was positive the man was John 
James Dunston, who had worked for him twelve years. He discovered numerous 
articles on the man's person which he had given him, and he identified the 
cotton waste he had in his pocket as same given him in Berkley Tuesday, also by 
an India ink mark on his left arm. Mr. Bailey said that Dunston had worked for 
him Tuesday. He last saw him that afternoon on the corner of Fenchurch and Main 
streets. He had been drinking, but was sober.
Mr. Bailey said Dunston was the best all-round mechanic in the city.
D. M. Wilkins and Jacob Dunston, of the firm of Hofflin & Dunston, and brother 
of the deceased, also positively identified the body, as did Captain Colonna.
The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the evidence.
Funeral services over his remains took place at 5 p.m., from Hall & Holt's 
undertaking establishment and they were interred in Elmwood, Rev. Robert 
Gatewood officiating.
The deceased was about 31 years of age, and as before stated, he was an 
excellent painter.
Some of Dunston’s acquaintances do not feel satisfied that it was his body, 
saying he had a red mustache and red hair, while the dead man had black hair.

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