Grayson County TXGenWeb

Dallas Morning News
October 16, 1894

BOTH LEGS CRUSHED
A Stranger Seriously Mangled Found in the Katy Yards at Denison

Denison, Tex., Oct 15 - About 8:30 tonight a German, about 25 years of age and whose name appears to be Paul
G. Koschel, late of Chicago, was found under the viaduct in the Katy yards with both legs crushed. He was found by a switch engineer about ten minutes after a freight train had passed south and was either injured while attempting to ride free or deliberately threw himself on the track in an attempt at suicide. His pocket was filled with letters, postal cards and other documents, but from all but one his name had been carefully erased. The one that escaped the general erasure bore the address "Paul G. Koschel, Chicago." Bills in his pocket from Rand & McNally indicate that he had been engaged in book peddling. He was promptly brought back to town and examined by Dr. Acheson, the Katy's surgeon, who decided upon immediate amputation of one leg. The other may have to follow. The injured man stood the operation heroically and during its progress, conversed freely with those about him. He wore eyeglasses, speaks three languages and is evidently a man of education. It is impossible at this hour to state whether he will survive the shock of the operation, but indications favor his recovery unless internal injuries now not apparent were received.