Saturday, July 10, 2004

Less than a week after his mysterious death, family and friends remember an Argonia teen. Still, plenty of rumors surround his death and many suspect foul play is involved.

Funeral services were held today in Conway Springs for Jake Allen, who was killed Monday, after being hit by a train.

Hundreds of people say their final goodbyes to Allen, still wondering how and why he died.

Argonia Schools Superintendent Julie Dolley says everyone has really come together, “to support the family. The family is also being very supportive of Jake’s friends. This is a hard loss for them.”

On Saturday morning, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Conway Springs quickly filled for a funeral mass in memory of 19-year-old Jake Allen.

Allen’s body was found Monday morning on the railroad tracks in a neighboring community. After authorities identified the victim, rumors quickly spread throughout the south-central Kansas communities of Argonia and Conway Springs. Some have speculated that a rivalry resulted in Allen being tied naked to the tracks, left for dead.

“I just want to know what happened,” says Allen’s best friend in high school, Aaron Thompson. “I want to know the end of it. I want to know the real story.”

Thompson saw Allen several days before the accident, but says there was no indication that his friend was in danger.

As Allen’s body is taken to the cemetery, hundreds of cars follow right behind.

Leaving the large group to reflect on a life cut far too short, Allen had plans to attend K-State in the fall and dreamed of having a large family. Now those dreams are gone, but a mystery remains.