Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-11-24
ACCIDENT OR CRIME.

near future. through increase in travel,
higher speed, the wearing of machinery,
aud recklessness born of over confidence
will bring an era of appalling disasters
and completely shatter the confidence of
thoughtful people in existing systems.
Then many evils win be remedied
The speaker was chance acquaintance
on the Chicago Express. and we had been
discussing ralrpad accidents generally,
and mans fallibility as factor therein.
As salesman for large importing
house l had travelled considerably, and
was not easily alarmed but we were
"making up" at so miles an hour
through the black, stormy night, and
affected my spirits, for felt uneasy, and
unwittingly my thoughts reverted to
home and wife. and baby 8 grief distorted
visage on learning that papa was going
long, long journey on the choo-choo
cars and he must be good boy and help
mamma"
Too nervous to sleep l settled down
with my knee against the back of the
seat ahead, and, as a defiance to the
"blues." continued the conversation by
asking:
How can such accidents be prevented,
and how can the element of possible
human failure be eliminated ?"
u would have the National Executive
appoint a commission of experienced
men to select an automatic system of
danger signals to be used on all railroads,
icfo lxal %
bells on the engines. myself once rea-
soned that with bells and batteries in the
cabs of all engines; with parallel mile
sections Of wire between the rails, con-
nection being made through brushes of
fine, flexible wires, which would sweep
lightly along the track wires, irrespective
of the swaying Of the engine, the circuit
would be complete when two engines
were placed upon the same section, and
both bells would ring, giving unmistak-
able notice of the presence of danger.
The brushes could depend from the sides
of the cowcatcher and be inexpensive
and easily replaced. Ifnew mile sections
were ecommenced every quarter mile, run
ming side by side with those already laid,
warnings would be received at never less
than three quarters of mile, and watch
men could give notice of danger by SIM
ply connecting with wire carried for the
purpose the two nearest ends of any par
allel section. Convinced of the feasibility
of my plan l submitted it to great rail-
road company, who returned it with
thanks, and intimated that it had been
the subject of many patents; and yet,
though l almost live upon the road,
have never seen an indication that such
plan was ever dreamed of before"
For half a minute following my COM
panion's last word no human voice min
gled with the roaring of the train as it
rushed through the storm.
The premonition of an awful catastro-
phe enforced terrified silence upon every
tongue.
The next instant it came-the harsh
grinding of the airbrakes - the sharp
whistle of danger-hurrying footsteps
swaying lights-a terrible crash--shrieks
Of agony and r-death-despair
The two sections Of the express were
In collision.
The occupants Of our car, the last of
the train, escaped with violent shaking
up and many bruises.
Not SO the poor wretches in the rear
cars of the first section. All the terrible
force OF the collision was there concen-
trated, and the lives of brave, noble men,
Of gentle, helpless women, and tender,
trusting children were indiscriminately
crushed out and obliterated.
Fragments of wood and iron and human
bodies We're scattered everywhere, and
fierce tongues of flame leaping upward
from the wreck told too plainly Of the
fate awaiting the imprisoned ones within.
Oh, the pitiful horror of the scene
dying mothers exerting their last
strength to pass their infants up to safety;
loving husbands and fathers impotent 10
save their loved ones, and grief crazel
mourners for those already dead or
doomed.
We labored with might and main till
driven back by flames. Many were res
cued, but numbers we could not save.
In human belplessness we watched the
end Of the tragedy, feeling like knife
thrusts in our bosoms the piteous appeals
OF those beyond our aid.
The last human sounds from that fear
ful holocaust were the lovely sn aims of
-Nearer My God TO Thee" in a sweet fe-
male voice that trembIed not at death.
but sought 10 soothe.
We can do nothing more,p said a
boarse voice at my side -The, have
sent another train 10 take us on. ii Is
but an incident Of railroad travel We
shall be few hours late at Chicago. tut
to-morTow's trains will be Oh time
How did it happen:r asked, recog-
nizing in the bloodstained, smoke black
ened face the features Of my chance com
pailion.
just as before-a dark nieht-tIains
running at great speed few minutes
apart-the stoppage of one through some
cause, and the failure TO warn the other in
tine to avert disaster That Is alI-crilne
or accident--caliit it what you will, it will