The morning call., 1890-10-20
A THRILLING RIDE.
Dangling Head Down From a Car Coup
ling While Going Fifty Miles an Hour.

Dangling Head Down From a Car-Coup-
ling While Going Fifty Miles an Hour.
j. G. Swigert Of Cincinnati is stopping in
Kansas City with a friend on his way home
from the West. He tells a story of mar
velous escape from death, and considers
himself lucky in getting off with broken
leg and badly bruised body. Mr.. Swigert
left Denver on night train for Kansas City
last week. About 10 o'clock in the evening
he went to the rear platform of the car to
finish a smoke. The night was dark, and
the little red lantern gave very indistinct
light. He remained outside about ten min
uies, w hen, becoming chilled by the damp
air, he turned to enter the car.
Just as he let loose of the iron railing the
car lurched, aud he was thrown violently
against the bell-rope which was tied at the
end OF the car. 1t gave way, and he fell
through toward the ground feet first. Had
he fallen ~ the ground he would, in all
probability, have been instantly killed. The
train was making up for lost time, and was
on down grade, going at the rate of fifty
miles an hour. As lie fell his coat, which
was buttoned tight, caught in a rod con-
nected with the coupling apparatus and he
found himself dangling at the end of the car
head down. At first, completely dazed by
the accident, he began 10 twist and turn to
relieve himself from the rod. He soon recog-
nized the fact that 10 Ial would result in
broken bones, ii not instant DEATH
Caught as he was with his back to the car,
with his head hanging down, he could do
nothing to help himself. He tried to shout
with all his might, but the door of the sleeper
was closed, and he found it utterly useless.
Judging by the time, Mr.. Swigert thought he
could not be very far from station, and
with considerable presence OF mind decided
that the only thing TO do was to remain quiet
and trust to the strength of his coat. He
says he has no idea how long he rode in this
frightful way, expecting every instant to
have his braius dashed out against the ties.
1t was probably only few minutes, but it
seemed hours to him.
At last the coat gave way, and as the train
dashed around a curve he was thrown viO-
lently to the ground and lost consciousness.
When he recovered his senses he felt about
and found that he was lying by the side of
the ROAD. lie felt but little pain. 1t was
very dark, and was raining. Reaching out
his hand lie felt foot in front of hun, just
beyond his head. He tried to get up TO see
TO whom 1t belonged, and found that it was
his own. His right thigh had been broken
and had been doubled up in that shape.
Utterly helpless, and with the pain in-
creasing every minute he could do nothing
but call for assistance He was finally
found BY track walker and assistance
being called ne was taken to Cheyenne
Wells, arriving there about daylight.
On the train with Mr.. Swigert was ID. |.
Rogers of this city, an intimate friend. Mr..
Rogers was much mystitied at the sudden
disappearance OF Mt Swgert and did not
know what had become of him until he re-
ceiVed a telegram asking him to meet
Swigert at tue train, Dir. Swigert is now
resting easy, and is in a fair way to recover.
Cincinnati Enquirer.