He lost one
leg in a railroad accident, and having collected a good round sum
in damages for it, adopted the profession of leg-breaking in
order to earn a livelihood. He probably argued that as he had
made more money in that line than in any other he was especially
fitted by natural talents to achieve distinction in this
direction. But as it would be rather awkward to lose his
remaining leg altogether he modified the idea and contents
himself with collecting the smaller amounts which ordinary
fractures of the hip-joint entitle such an expert 'fine worker'
to receive.
"He first appeared here in 1874 and succeeded, it is alleged, in
beating the Life Association of America. After remaining for some
time in the hospital he was removed on a stretcher to an Illinois
village, from which point the negotiations for damages were
conducted by correspondence, until finally a point of agreement
was reached and an agent of the company was sent to pay him the
money. This being accomplished the agent returned to the depot to
take the train back to St. Louis when he was surprised to see the
supposed sufferer stumping around on his crutches on the depot
platform, laughing and jesting over the ease with which he had
beaten the corporation.
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