Wichita eagle., 1888-02-03
TWO TEXAS WRECKS.
A Disastrous Wreck on the Harrisburg e.
San Antonio-A Texas a. Pacific
Accident

I'll PAso, Tex, Feb. "A collision oc-
CURED on the Galveston, Harrisburg. &
San Antonio railroad at Paisano Pass sta
ton, yesterday afternoon, about 100 miles
east of FL Paso, the highest point between
New Orleans and San Francisco, on the
Sunset or Southern Pacific route, which
cBused the death of at least three EN-
ployes 1t seems that the accident WAS
wholly due to the carelessness of the con-
dnctor and engineer of one of the freight
trains. Superintendent J. J. Linburg says
that they had explicit orders to
meet the other freight train on a
siding, and that they paid no at
tention to the orders whatever. Mr.. Lind
burg says that he could not conceive how
men could get such plain orders and then
forget them. On rushed the Inflated train
until it crashed into the other from the
other direction, and the destruction was
complete. The wreck Will entail "A large
loss of rolling stock. but that is I. small
consideration when the loss of three lives
and injuries of two more are taken into &C
count. The following are the names of the
killed:
Brakeman Denton, outright: Fireman
Hewitt, outright; Engineer Student Peak,
city. Injured: Engineer Potter, ankle
broken; Brakeman Conroy. hip broken;
taken to San Antonio hospital.
The bodies of the three dead were imme-
diately brought To FL Paso 1t is reported
by railroad men that the accident came
about by Conductor Lansing reading the
order to the engineer and the engineer,
having full confidence in Lansing, showed
his copy of the order in his vest pocket.
Lansing had misread the order, and when
the engineer got TO Paisano Siding, coming
west, he failed to stop. but kept the
throttle open. The conductor, Lansing,
immediately struck out on seeing the
calamity he had caused. He went toward
Mexico and has not been heard from
One party says the entire mistake was
caused by his reading l65 for loo. When
the wreck occurred Dan Denton. an old
railroad man, who was breaking, made an
awful lean. The trains met on a bridge
and Denton jumped and Went down TO the
rocks below. lighting on his feet, but
bounding back and striking his head on
a rock, which killed him. He has a
mother and brother living. One is in
Texas and the other in Missouri.
James II. Peak was making his first and
last trip over the road. He was a Young
man, steady and honest, and we'll known
in FL Paso. He returned from New Mex
leo about a month ago. where he had been
for TWO years, and began work in the Gal
weston, Harrisburg and san Antonio road.
He was learning To be an engineer and
was called an engineering student.
John I'll. Peak, of this city is
the father of the deceased the latter being
about ~ years old He was pinned under
the engine and suffered terribly for time
both legs being broken. Dr. Harrison,
physician OF the Galveston, Harrisburg
and San Antonio road, was sent out 10 the
scene of the accident Immediately, but he
his last on his way to FL Paso. DR.. Harri-
son returned TO this city ona special at $50
O'Clock this morning.
The bodies OF the three dead were on
board. They were taken to Motifs under
taking establishment.
The funeral or James III. Peak occurred
this afternoon at 4 O'Clock. The other
bodies are still al the undertakes.
LONG VIEW. Tex. Feb. Yesterday
afternoon, rs Texas X Pacific train No. ,
was going east, the engine. baggage and
express cars Were thrown from the track
at Lansing, siding, six miles east. The
cause of the accident was a misplaced or
defective switch. The engine was over
thrown. and crushed T. X. johnson. the
engineer He was also bruised internally.
His arm was dislocated and he WAS badly
scalded about the head and shoulders.
His fireman. Mate Jordan, was badly
scalded about the head and the up
per part of the body. Two firemen, who
were dead heading over 10 Marshall to 20
ont on their engines, Were both injured.
Nike Mckain was badly injured aooutthe