Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-25
ghe antta ay eagle aaorntuo neeber Is 1885,
WRECK. AND RUIN
The Attempt Of a Freight and
Passenger Train
To Use the Same Crossing at the
Same Time Ends in Disaster-Fun
Particulars Of the Wreck
Last Evening.

Last evening frightful railroad collision
happened at the crossing Of the Fort Scott
& Wichita ard Wichita & Western, about
two miles southwest of the business part of
the city.
The fire alarm was sounded about $50, and
the department hurried to the west side I'M
der the impression that house was on fire
near the University. Learning that such
was not the case they returned; the hook and
ladder company, however. continued their
journey, and arrived at the wreck in time to
render valuable assistBncs in saving the
wrecked railroad property.
To the southwegt could be- plainly seen the
light of conhagration, and the continuous
shrek of the engine bore the intelligence of
q train in distress.
At The crossing of the Fort Scott on West
Douglas was met party Of gentlemen car
rying their satchels and mrking the best OF
their way to the city. From them was
learned the first definite information as to
the site of the confagration.
After hurrying along the track for about
a mile, the passenger engine, apparently I'M
injured, was met. To it was still hanging
Fifty yards in the rear was the scene of the
collision. Men with lanterns were hard at
work throwing water on the still smoking
wreck; passengers with their baggage were
cropping their way through the darkness;
upon the ruins of an engine was a passenger
IL. A. .-l.x nj hop
ing from its front platform were the burnt
and charred ruins of the baggage car. On
the left, turned over, lay two completely de-
moiished freight cars and along the W..
& w track was a long string Of
freights that melted away in the darkness
Crawling over the debris another passenger
car was reached, to which admission was re-
fused, but through the window could be seen
the lady passengers setting in the rear and
TRYING to make the best of the unexpected
wounds the doctors were dressing. Further
in the rear was another car.
How did it happen?' was the question on
all sidss, and like in many another railroad
wreck, the question was unanswered by the
railroad employees.
That the east bound passenger on the Fort
Scott was struck by the west bound freight
on the Wichita & Western there is no doubt,
and that one of them, or perhaps neither,
stopped at the crossing appears to be like
wise evident. The baggage car was the
part of the passenger run into 1t was
knocked from the track off bridge, span
ming slough, and completely demolished.
The wrecked car took fire and the flames
completed its destruction. The engine of the
freight train was thrown to the right eft the
track, and upon it ran the smoker of the
passenger. The flames were spread
ing to it when the prompt
arrival of the hook and ladder company
saved it from the flames. The force of the
collision threw the two front freight cars off
the track and turned them over upon the
left of the track.
1t seems almost miracle that no lives
wero lost, and but one man badly injured.
Mr. Johnson the mani in charge of the ex-
press and baggage, had completed his work
ana was SlUUlnS III aDOuU IuS CeHtic VI OuO
car, large iron safe on one side of him g
heated stoYe upon the other. After the col
lission he was taken from the wreck it was
thought seriously injured. DR.. Ordway
was called and an examination revealei
that no had only a rib broken and some scalp
wound, not in any way serious. He was re-
moved to Gandolfo's hotel and if there be no
internal injuries he will soon be ready for
work again.
The engineer and fireman of the freight
train say that they remained upon their en-
CINE and passed entirely uuder the smoker.
The passengers, more especially those in
the smoker, were considerably shaken up
and frightened, but fortunately not one was
injured.
The track is somewhat torn up, the work
needed here and that required for the re-
moval of the debris will to soma extent in
terfere with travel upon both tho roads for
several days