The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1872-06-13
ANOTHER RAIL WAY HORROR.
Bridge or the Aichison q Nebraska
Road Gives away.
Superinten5e1t Firth Crushed and
MaDgleG.
Secretary Allen Killed Outright.
Particulars Of the Calamity.

Last Saturday about Il O'Clock + l..
Firth, Gen. sapt. ofthe Atchison * Nehras-
Ia Road, accompanied By lis Secretary, left
Atchison on an engine fer tour 'ot inspec-
ton OF the road, TO ascertain the damage
sustained by Tie bridges in the late heavy
floods. The tip was made to the northern
end of the track, and when upon the return
"trip, abou. 900 ?. H., while crossing
bridge two miles beyond Highland Station,
the structure gave way, and the engine was
percipilated head foremost into the Little
stream beneath. When the locomotive
went through Mr.. Firth and Mr.. Allen
we're out On the front Of the engine, Mr..
Firth having his arm around the lamp Tor
support. The locomotive vent straigh:
down, not eeering to either side, and rested
With the head OF the boiler in the mud. In
the fail the COW catcher coming in contact
with the timber, was forced up against the
boil r, Dir. Allen being caught between,
was ,rushe to death SO quick that he prob
ably had no, lime 10 realize the nature O:
the accident. Ia Superintendent: Firth's
case, the agonies were terrible. HE right
arm Was caught although his body was free,
and IN this position lie went into the mud
along with The engine. his shoulder being
forced sgains, the boiler, was roasted TO the
bone, and in this position he remained
E.r h,trr- n
this time lie cooliy gave orders to the men
who We're engaged III removing the wreck so
he could be extTicated. At length he war
ken cut, exhausted, crushed and roasted.
H. right arm, which WAS broken and
,uaugied, had 10 he amputated above the
elbow. 4 cash FIVE inches in length and
Clear TO the skull in depth was found after
washing the mud from lis head. The best
medical xiii Of Aichison has been cllled 10
lis aid, bui his chances for life are very
Hleagre.
hIr. II. Kendall, OF this city, an intimate
.cquaintanoe oil Mr.. Firth and his father,
was summoned by telegraph Sunday, and
wen, TO Atchison; but the young superin-
tendent Was scarcely able 10 recognize him.
Pr. Kendall wen; up again yesterday, ac-
companied BY DR.. Viewer, OF this city. We
understand that DIR. Viewers visit was made
4, the solicitation Of Mr.. Kendall, in order 10
obtain authoritative medical information re-
gar,:ing the condition Of the sufferer, with u
view OF correctly informing the Firth family
Of the extent OF the injuries and the chance
Of recovery. Or. Viewer came down from
Atchison on the express at 800 yesterday
afternoon, and represented the injuries fully
az severe as the first reports represented
them. He went up again last evening on the
accommodation, and has no; returned at
This writing. He thinks the chances Of re-
cov.ry very doubtful. 1t is question OF
constitutional vigor. The shock has been
great one, m,nially and physically. MI.
Firth i. man of great brain power, but his
physical forces are no. great, although he Is
= vigorous and active worker.
One Of the most singular incidents Of the
calami.y i. the fact that q thirty-ton engine
and train Of cars passed over the bridge
few minu.es before Mr.. Firth's engine went
through. On The upward trip the Superin-
tendent condemned the bridge, or at least
pronounced it unsafe and put the carpenters
to work strengthening it. Bat on the down.
ward trip, when he regarded it perfectly
sound, supposing the repairs had been made
a. directed, failed to sustain the weight Of a
twenty-four-ton engine.
In railway and commercial circles, the
distressing calamity produced the deepest re-
gret. Sup,. Firth, during his brief career in
the West, has achieved quite marked rep
uta.ion for himself, and every one who knew
him predicted before the aeciden. brilliant
future Tor him. Even if lie RECEIVERS, the loss
Of his RICH; arm will impair his u-efulness,
and place IN obstacle in his road In future
success.