After having lived for about 108 years, John Montgomery came to his death yesterday, not through physical infirmities, but as the result of an accident. While walking along the railroad tracks near the corner of Ninth Street and Thirteenth Avenue about 10:15 yesterday morning he was run down by a Milwaukee freight train and instantly killed. Spectators to the accident say that the old man was going along the track toward the transfer station in the same direction that the train was backing when the cars struck him. It is said that his head was bundled up and besides being somewhat deaf, he could not have heard the approaching train behind him or the warnings of the trainmen who saw him too late to stop the engine. Fifteen cars passed over the body, which was decapitated by the wheels. The head was ground into a thousand pieces and scattered along the track for some distance were parts of the bone, skin, scalp and brains. The right hand and the left foot were also badly lacerated. The remains were quickly picked up and taken to Estep's Undertaking Rooms, where an inquest will be held this morning at 9 o'clock.

John Montgomery has been a well-known character in Council Bluffs for the past thirty years and though he claimed that he was at least 108 years of age, there is no certain record of his birthday. It is believed by all who knew him that he is several years past the century mark, however. He was born in Scotland. For many years he lived in a small shanty in the southwest part of the city near the Rock Island tracks. There he and his wife were supported by an only son, who was killed by falling into the Missouri River while working on the construction of the motor company bridge about ten years ago. The wife died a couple of years ago.

For a number of months James L. Paxton of South Omaha, formerly a resident of this city, has interested himself in the care of old Mr. Montgomery and has seen to the provision for his wants. Mr. Paxton did this out of the kindness of his heart, as the centenarian was no relative and had no particular reason to expect aid from his benefactor. The old man lived alone for some time, until his eccentricities became so pronounced that it was deemed advisable to place him in St. Bernard's Hospital. There he remained for a while, but would wander away frequently and a home was found for him with several families in the city. Recently he has been living at the W.C.A. Hospital and had just gone out for a walk from there when he met his death.

The funeral will be held this morning at 9 o'clock from St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, where high requiem mass will be celebrated, Rev. Father Smyth officiating. Interment is to be in the Catholic Cemetery. Mr. Paxton came over from Omaha yesterday as soon as he heard of the accident and made all the arrangements for the funeral. He was greatly grieved by the death of his charge, who despite his age, would frequently get on the motorcars and go to South Omaha to visit his benefactor.