Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1886-08-07
TRAIN plTcHEp.


Hat.
At about 20 Thursday afternoon ihe
regular freight train from Yuma to Los
Angeles was running carefully over the
Colorado desert between Volcano and
Mammoth Tankn. A young man named
Baker had her in charge, it being his
first trip as conductor. as he had Just
been promoted to that position after
years Of faithful services as brakeman,
Joe Oyerman, an experienced, careful
and brave engineer. held her by the
throttle and Walter. Hart YVES with him
a. fireman. The engineer had
been proceeding carefully along
the scene Of the late washouti
where the road bed might have been
less solid than usual. Getting past the
..slow" flags and thinking he was past
danger. Oman opened her out little Ia
got on the schedule speed. About the
time this was accomplished aspot was
reached where, after aprevious washout,
| the track had been lowered. As the
train preceding him had passed in safety
a few moments previous the engineer
thought all was safe. The result would
seem to show that under the other train
| the track had sagged bit In the center
of the dip, caused to do so probably by
the recent heavy rains.
The engine got to the bottom Of the
din and as she tried to rise the turn
proved too short, the pilot caught
her nose in the ground, rooted
| deep in and AZ she come up the rails came
| with her. The wheels lost their hold on
the track, and the engine stood straight
up in the air. She swayed over on one
side as she came down. The whole train
was CROW ding fast upon her and she
could not get out of the way, The deck
| split open and let Oman and Hart down
into close hot hole where the dust was
ing like the breath Of Hades. The Gu.
CINE swung round and stopped at right
angles to the track. The water cal
crowded quito over the cab and shot
seventy feet beyond where the engine
was wrecked. In all six cars were
piled in an indescribable mass along the
wrecked track.
| When Oman and Hart were dragged
from the debris the former was found 10
have his left leg--both bones broken
| Just below the knee. His left arm was
similarly wrecked just shove the wrist
A piece Of broken pipe s.erced just below
| the chin, which. had Ii gong little fur
ther, would have killed the poor fellow
| in an instant. There are few spots on
the brave fellow which are not terribly
bruised. Hart has sprained ankle,
some Of whose bones may be broken.
His leg is terribly lacersted and other
portions of his body wounded. The con.
| ductor and the two brakenen fortunately
escaped without scratch.
When news of the disaster reached the
city q wrecking train was sent out to take
care Of things. Mrs. Oman. brave Joe'a
wife went out on her. The wounded
men were brought to the city by q sps-
cial train, arriving early this morning
The sufferers were taxi en- 10 their homes,
and DR., Kurtz, being at home, proceeded
to care for them. The woupds were
properly dressed and the brnken bones
set. Joe Oman's sole aaxie<y ~as ~ to
the loss of his limbs ~ Dr. Kurtz sst
him at rest by ~ onnursnoe that be
would save. birth ~ nm and the leg.
Battered and bsuisod = be was Joe chat.
ted sealI H. tine the operation
~ gong On and never uttered
q Ugh o. groan through AL hi
sufferers. II takes about three dsathl
to kill fellow like Joe Oman. His
mother and wife ssem to know his worth
and take splendid care Of the boy, who
is sure to be around in few weeks.
| Walter Harts wounds are Of very
painful character, although not 90 seri
Gus as those Of his companion. The
small bones OF the foot and ankle are ex.
tremely sensitive. But what would be
made much Of by ordinary mortals these
courageous railway boys bear as ordi.
nary matters of everyday life.
The HERALD hopes both the brave
fellows will soon be able again 10 dare
the dangers Of riding on the rail.
The fractures to 0man's limbs are beth
compound, comminuted. That is both
bones in the arm and likewise in the leg
are broken and splIntered.
The water car went right over the cab,
knocking It to finders. Hs
Joe Oman was found in brek EMU
box car. How he got there no ons
knows.
When the news was wired here Mr.
Muir at once sent out a special from
Yuma with two doctors to take care o
the wounded.
A man had to walk seven miles t,
Volcano to wire the news.
All those at the wreck felt sure tina
Oman would die before relief could rsacl
him.