Here is a strange account of the death of Michael J. Madden, run over and killed by a streetcar 110 years ago, and the woman he left behind as told in the pages of the Aberdeen Herald dated July 27, 1908. Even then, human relationships were confusing things indeed.

KILLED ON TRACKS — Michael J. Madden is Killed by Car Thursday Night — Michael J. Madden, of Pe Ell, a veteran of the civil war and a pioneer saw mill man of Hoquiam, met his death about 11:30 Thursday night under the wheels of a trolley car running between Hoquiam and Aberdeen. The accident happened between Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Streets, Hoquiam.

The car was running at the usual rate of speed, and the night was foggy, so that the motorman could not see more than a few feet ahead of the car. Madden, who had been drinking heavily, had started to walk from Hoquiam to Aberdeen, and is believed to have stumbled and fallen across the tracks. The motorman did not see the man on the track until too close to stop the car. He applied the brakes, but the car slid on the damp rails, and the body of Madden was pushed and rolled about forty feet before the car was brought to a standstill. The body was horribly mangled, and it is believed that that death was instantaneous.

Coroner Girard held an inquest on the remains Friday evening, and the jury returned a verdict exonerating Motorman Scov and Conductor Damitio from all blame, finding the accident to have been unavoidable. The testimony went to show that Madden had been intoxicated, and in walking to Aberdeen, had fallen on the track and dropped off asleep, and that, owing to the fog, it was impossible for the motorman to see more than a few feet ahead of the car.

Madden, who is said to have considerable property at Pe Ell, was well known among the early settlers on Grays Harbor, he having helped build the Northwestern Mill at Hoquiam in 1882, and was head sawyer in the mill for several years after it was built. He had not been in Hoquiam before in 20 years.

From a letter found on the body, it appears that Madden had come to Hoquiam with the intention of getting married to Mrs. Mollie Fuller, who arrived a few days before from Dodge City, Kansas, her fare having been paid by another man who also expected to marry her. The following is the letter:

“My Dear Soldier Boy, I am at Hoquiam, Wash. I did not come through Chehalis or Portland, but through Tacoma. Changed cars there for Hoquiam. I seen the man I came to see, but I never told him who I was, but made him believe I wanted to rent one of his houses. He don’t know I am the one he expects on the 24th or 25th. I won’t have him; he has only one eye, and is so homely I almost fainted. His photo wasn’t his he sent me. He don’t know I am here, and I want you to come so I can talk to you and maybe I will go home with you if you want me to. I am going home in a few days. I am crying now and am so lonesome. Mickey, I came so far I guess if you want to see me you can come a little ways. By by. Your old girl, Mollie Fisher. (Call for Mrs. Smith.)”

Written on a piece of paper bag was the following: “Don’t write, but come. I called my name Mrs. Smith so he would not know I was Mollie Fuller.”

It seems that Madden had known the woman for some years, and wanted to marry her. When he called on her Thursday, he was intoxicated, and she dismissed him, telling him to come back when he got sober. She was also in correspondence with two men in Hoquiam, one of whom she will probably marry.

Mrs. J. B. Skeen, a stepdaughter of Police Officer Kempter, is an heir of Madden, being a daughter of a brother, Thomas Madden, who resided many years at Montesano, where Mrs. Skeen was born 19 years ago. Mrs. Skeen will go to Pe Ell tomorrow to investigate the property left by her unfortunate uncle.

The funeral will take place this afternoon at Hoquiam under the auspices of the Odd Fellows, of which order Mr. Madden was a member.

Roy Vataja is the son of Finnish immigrants and this weekend he will be found Art Walking around Aberdeen looking at art and whatnot. Come down and support your local arts community!