The morning call., 1890-04-14
STRUCK BY A TRAIN.
Accident to a Party of Italians
at San AnselmO,
Their Miraculous Escape From Death-seve raj
Men and Boy Severely Injured
A Drivers Carelessness.

yesterday morning party OF twenty Italians,
composed OF men with their wives, children and
female relatives left this city for the purpose of
visiting some friends who own vegetable garden
near San Ansemo. Marin County.
After spending day OF pleasure they started
to return home In the afternoon, They were
driven 10 San Anselmo Station in two express
wagons. OAe OF the wagons contained the
females OF the party, and in the other were nine
men and TWO children.
Both parties were merry and in high glee as
they were driven TO the depot In order to catch
the sos North Pacific Coast Railroad train from
San Rafael. 1t was close upon the time for the
train 10 reach the station. Just the other side OF
the station the county road crosses the track.
The wagon with The females was good ways
ahead OF the other vehicle, and 1t got across the
track and its occupants were left at the depot,
where they stood awaiting the others.
AS the second wagon approached the track in
charge Of one of the men connected with the
ranch, the train from San Rafael (Tierney, engl-
nee) came along. When within eighty yards Of
the station the usual warning whistle was given
and the bell ruug. The train was drawn by TWO
locomotives.
STRUCK BY THE TRAIN.
Before the sound OF the whistle had died away
the man who was driving the second express
wagon with the Italians in it, drove along the
road at rapid pace. and got the two horses at
tached to the vehicle almost across the track be-
fore he discovered the approach of the train. He
evidently became confused, for he applied the
brakes 10 the wagon. The action made 1t i'm
possible TO back away or advance with sufficient
rapidity 10 prevent a collision.
On came the train at a slackened rate OF speed
ana crashed into The wagon With its load OF hu-
manity striking the vehicle on line with the
rear axle The wagon was overturned amid the
piercing cries OF the men in it, and shrl shrieks
and cries OF horror from their relatives on the
station platform and others who were waiting
there for the train. A scene ensued that fairly
beggars description.
Tie women at tile station tore their hair and
cried In wild despair young children shreked,
and there was such state OF excitement that it
seemed as II no one had the power TO do any.
thing, except TO give vent to their horror.
AN INJURED BOY.
Although the engineer OF the train saw the ac-
cldeDt aud applied the air-brakes at once, the
cars went ahead several hundred feet. As the
train moved toward the station the horror
stricken spectators Of the scene saw the bleeding
form Of a boy imDaled on the cow catcher, while
on the pilot on the right side man was hanging,
There was LOOK of despair on his face. Also
hanging TO the pilot was the shattered body OF
the wagon, and every moment, with the move
ment OF the train, ii struck the ON the pilot.
Que OF The horses was being rolled along like
ball by the second locomotive. When the train
was at last brought to Il staudstil the body OF
the wagon fell and the man with It, Willing
hands seized The boy on the cow-catcher, and his
limp form was carried To the station platform.
He proved TO be Henry Cuneo OF 6I5 Bay
street, In this city. His mother was among the
party az the depot, and when she saw BIN car
vent TO loud lamentations. She rushed forward
aud embraced him, calling him by name, and
saying III heart-fending tones: "he is dead"
THANK GOD, HE LIVES"
The scene brought tears TO the eyes of many Of
the spectators. When she discovered that he
was still alive smile appeared o light up her
face, aud she murmured, THANK God, he still
lives" Ii was found that he had sustained
fracture of the left leg, dslocation Of the left
knee and fracture OF the nasal bone.
In the meantime The railroad officials, passel-
gers and others rushed TO the place where the
collision took place. Those who had occupied
the wagon were scattered around the ground i'm
various attitudes. All were dazed, and, strange
as IL may seem none had been killed. Several
had been severely Injured.
Ii was found that John Fl. ChaparI, who lives
ON hearny street IN this city, had sustained
severe scalp wounds and bruises about tile body
Pielro Rodele was lacerated around the upper
natt OF Inc left arm. Angelo Pletro. residing at
l717 Stockton street. had an injury on the head.
Carlos Marquitt, who lives on Kearny street, was
shaken up and severely injured internally.
TAKEN TO sAUSALITo.
The officials OF the company did all in their
power under the circumstances for the Injured
ones. The were placed on tie train. which then
maGe quick run 10 Sausalto where medical
attendance was obtained. DR.. +. w. Lux OF this
city WAS on the train, and when he was apprised
of what had occurred he volunteered his SER
vices and rendered AID to the Injured He tenn
porarly set aud bandaged the leg OF the injured
boy and gave the others what assistance lie
could.
A young lady member OF the Sight Seers' Club.
who was In the station awaiting the train had
shortly before the accident been looking ont of
the window facing the direction from which the
train was coming, and when she saw the first
load OF Italians coming said, Here comes some
more passengers" A moment afterward she
remarked that another load was coming.
10 CALL representative she stated that when
the second eXpfeSs-Wagon approached, she saw
the driver speed his horses across the track
ahead OF The train. The driver looked toward
The train before he had cleared the track, and
she then saw him lean down and apply his
brake. Then the collision occurred. When the
brake was applied lie could not have backed
away or gone ahead in time to escape the train
Passengers on the train aud those at the depot
coTroborated this statement.
THE ENGINEER's STORY.
Engineer Tierney, when questioned said that
lie saw the wagon approaching the track, but
did lot suppose the man in charge would be
foOlhardy enough 10 cross the track, and willis
lie was thinking the man made the attempt aud
the collision occurred. He at once nut ON lhe
Drakes aud did all in bis power 10 bring tie
train TO a Standstil
After the accident and the Injured parties had
been attended 10 1t was discovered that the
horses had been stripped of their harness. except
their collars. Besides a few bruises, neither AMI
NAL was injured, and when the train moved
away they were seen running down the hill as il
nothing had happened.
Upon arrival In this city the injured Italians
were taken 10 their respective homes. 1t was a
source OF comment among those who saw the ac-
cldent that the entire patty was not killed in-
stantly by the collision. Their escape from
QeaLl was firmly miraculOus