----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 02/06/1896

Helgoth, Joseph (1856? - 4 Feb 1896)

Joseph Helgoth, a man who has for several years been traveling about from place to place, was found dead alongside the railroad track about one and one-half miles west of the village (Thorp, Clark Co., Wis.) by the section crew on Tuesday morning. Upon examination it was found that he had been struck by some passing train during the night previous and had been instantly killed, as no signs of a struggle were visible. The injuries sustained were a badly fractured skull and one leg broke in two places. Justice George Burke empanelled a jury who, with Dr. McKittrick visited the scene of the accident and after securing all the information obtainable rendered a verdict in accordance with the above. Mr. Helgoth arrived here on Monday and had visited this village several times during the past few years, always remaining a week or two, and while here doing odd jobs of sign painting in which line of work he was an expert. On these trips he usually had a comapnion, as he also had this time and they generally made their camp alongside the track a little distance from the village, where they did their cooking and sleeping. Mr. Helgoth was evidently a hard drinker, his weakness for intoxicants being well known, and on Monday was in the village as late as 11 p.m., at about which time it is supposed he started for his camp and on the way probably fell asleep on the track while resting and was run over. He was about 38 years of age and a native of Germany, and his partner says he had relatives in Chicago, but knew nothing further about them. The remains were brought to the village engine house by George Leslie, who also prepared the body for burial, the funeral taking place on Wednesday afternoon.