----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 08/03/1886

Dignon, John (? - 27 Jun 1886)

On Friday morning of last week, John Dignon, who has been employed for several years past during the summer season in watching at north Fork Dam, four miles west of this village (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) for the Eau Claire Lumber Co., came to this village for the purpose of buying a few groceries. He started on his return trip about one p.m., being at the time slightly under the influence of liquor. Upon reaching a cattle guard about one quarter of a mile west of the depot he evidently fell into the same in crossing and, it is surmised, rested for a few moments before extricating himself, during which time he no doubt fell asleep. The engineer of the freight train which came along a few minutes before two o'clock was unable to stop the train after discovering the man, and the cow-cather struck him about midway between the lip and shoulders, carrying him along for eight or ten rods, when the body fell on the outside of the track. The body was brought to this village and Justice Mason held an inquest, the jury finding that deceased came to his death in accordance with above state facts. Joseph Sterling, of Sterling, being notified, came to this village and took charge of the remains, taking them to Eau Claire the same evening and where the funeral occurred the nest day. Curious to relate, a quart bottle of whiskey, out of which several drinks had been taken, remained unbroken in the deceased man's pocket. Deceased was the head of a large family consisting of a wife and seven children, who reside in Eau Claire.