The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-08-11
COLLISION ON NORTHERN PACIFIC.
An Engineer Killed and . Ffremsn
Fatally Injured.

Fatally Injured.
TACOMA. Aug. 10 Special. Engineer
Louis K. Harmon was instantly killed by
a head-end freight train collision this after
noon half a mile east of Nc MILAN, on the
Northern Pacific railroad. Fireman Ed
ward +. Martin was probably fatally in
iured. and was thought to be breathing his
last " hen General Assistant Superintend-
ent Dickinson lett the scene of the wreck
about O'Clock His head was badly
crushed. Harmon was a widower, and
leaves three boys. the oldest of whom is
aged IL years. Martin is young man,
and is unmarried. He was formerly a car
repairer for the Northern Pacific here,
and is one Of the new firemen taken on
since the strike. J. G. Cook was con-
ductor of the train of which Harmon was
engineer, and r. II. Thompson was con-
ductor of the west-bound coal train of
eighty-fiye coal dumps. Pebbles being the
engineer in charge.
The accident was the result of what Is
known among railroad men as lap order.
A lap order would result If the coal train
we're ordered from Crocker TO Tacoma, and
the shingle train from Tacoma to South
Prairie, both moving at the same time
occurred today. There was no meeting
point for the trains, and they came to-
gether as stated on a curve, and some
trees cheated the engine crews out of a
fair chance TO jump safely. The west
bound engine crew. however. jumped
quickly and were not seriously injured.
Martin was injured while jumping.
Coroner Hoska was summoned az once
a IA. IL. -.
to attend the injured.
Railroad men express the deepest sym
pathy for Frederick 3 Rawlins, the North
ern Pacific train dispatcher. who is re-
sponsible for the accident. He is an old
and tried employe Of the company, and
has been railrosding for fifteen years. A
lap order occurs now and then, however,
among the best and safest dispatchers. A
little slip IN the cogs of memory viii per-
mit il, aud poor Rswlin's slip occurred
today. Though he will probably be dis
missed he is likely 20 escape criminal
prosecution.
The mistake of the dispatcher was dis
covered several minutes before the wreck.
There is no telegraph station between
Meeker and orging. and while the trains
we're between these points II was known
they must come together. The suspense
was appalling. Rawlins knew that only .
miracle could prevent wreck. lie had
nothing 10 say then, and has nothing 70
saw now, except that every man who has
raiiroaded it for a long time knows that
mistakes will happen. He exhibited great
nerve while waiting for the worst. lie vas
relieved by Chief Dispatcher Aloee, and
went directly home 10 his family. lie
may be arrested after the inquest, which
takes place here at 10 tomorrow morning.
C. W. Thompson. head end brakeman on
the shingle train. saw the coal train
annroaching when 10 was tEelye
car length. away. lie yelled TO Harmon
and Martin to Jump Thomrson's head
xas cut. bat. like the Others who were in
iured. he vas able 10 walk. with his head
tied up in bandagss. The coroner Is
hurried regarding the cause Of Harmons ;
death. lie weighed 20 poaads and there
IL not a scratch on him. He was found
face m under Pile Of loose shingles. He
was probably either scared 20 death OF
suothered. The remains will be buried at
Ellensburg By the side OF his wife and
son. The coal train men had narros
e.eap~. coal cars both IN front and rear OF
where ghey landed being scattered over
the track. The locomotives were Is-s-