La Grande, Union County, Oregon
Peter Dowing,(sic) the La Grande baseball pitcher, was run over by an east bound passenger train near Hot Lake last Friday evening and instantly killed. Dowling was a hard drinker and had been at Hot Lake for a few days sobering up, and on the evening of the accident had started to walk to La Grande.
According to the engineer’s story, Dowling deliberately stepped in front of the engine from the side of the track and it was impossible to stop in time. Dowling had removed his shoes and it is thought that he was in a state of delirium tremmens. His head was completely severed from his body and was never found. The unfortunate man leaves a wife in La Grande.
Elgin Recorder Friday July 7, 1905