Old-time obits

A year or so ago, my brother the family geneaologist gave me a copy of the obituary/news story from a hundred years ago that detailed the demise of one of our ancestors. Some quotes from the Gallipolis Daily Tribune:

(WARNING: Contains violent images)

... He had been drunk all day Sunday and had rolled his coat up and put it under his head for a pillow and laid down along side the track just off of Fourth Avenue, back of Mrs. Mitchell's, along side the Pine Street cemetery.

The engineer saw him as the train rounded in close toward the depot, but could not stop his train. The wheels did not hit him but some projecting bar from the axle did, and his skull was so badly crushed that the contents of his skull all ran out where he lay.

... He is supposed to be about 45 years old and left beside Hugh, brothers Joseph and Edward, the latter at the Athens Hospital. (Note: I assume that refers to the former warehouse for the mentally ill, a truly horrifying place by today's standards) ...

...He was industrious and clever when sober, but was addicted to drink. ...

We don't write news stories or obits like that anymore.