Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-10-24
THRILLING MISHAP.
Young Lady Stenographer
Struck by an Engine.
ESCAPES A FR1GHTFUL DEATH.

Mtbs Sohou 0utteF XIDe8 70 CleaE INC ~
oris Passenger Train Mt the Eighteenth
Street Crossing and Ii Hurled From the
Track With . Fractured Skull.
In her exertion to catch the ferry
boat Miss Sarah Butler, a young lady
stenographer of Muscatine, venturcd
over the Eighteenth street crossing
before the near approaching Peoria
passenger train about $50 last even
ing and received injuries which it is
questionable whether she will recover
from, and narrowly escaped a fright
full death. The unfortunate young
lady was picked up on the river en-
bankment several feet from the
railroad in an unconscious con-
dition, moaning and suffering, with
the blood flowing from a large cash
in her forehead. Taken to st. An
thongs hospital in the ambulance.
Miss Buffers injuries were dressed
by Drs. Plummer and Carter, and
she remained in comatose- un-
til early this morning when signs of
returning consciousness were mani
fest.
Brain lDjured BY the Skull.
The physicians found it necessary
to remove an inch-and-a-half of the
injured lady's skull, which had been
crushed against the brain. Over the
left optic and extending along the
forehead to the nose was a cash
four-and-a-half inches long. No 9TH
er evidence of violence was discerna-
BILE. But whether Miss Butler sus-
tanned internal injuries the physi-
clans were unable to determine at
the moment. Being of an exception
ally robust constitution, Miss But
Ter stood the operation satisfactorily.
Miss Butler is 25-year-old Musca-
tine lady, who came to Rock Island
few months ago to accept a posi-
ton as stenographer for the Rock
Island Plow company. She boarded
with friends in Davenport and took
the noon day meal with MIR. and
Mrs. A. H. Hampton. on Third ave-
nue.. Miss Butler resigned her Rock
Island position to accept a similar
one with the Moline Plow company,
commencing her new duties yester-
day. Returning from her labors
early in the evening, she alighted
ton Of Eighteenth street and walked
toward the ferry landing on the east
side of the thoroughfare.
Warned by the FIagmau.
Naturally anxious lest she might
miss the boat, which was preparing
to depart, she was hurrying over the
crossing when she suddenly paused
between the c., b. & Q. and r. l. &
p. tracks in observing the approach
ing passenger train. Miss Butler
being on the opposite side of the
street and it being dark, Flagman
Swain did not notice the young lady
until the engine headlight flashed
upon her. Then he shouted warm
ing to her. This together with the
ringing and putting of the switch
engine on the tracks behind her
coupled with the hurry to catch the
ferry so frightened Miss Butler that
she trusted to the alternative of beat
ing the passenger train across the
way. Another step would have
placed her out of danger, but Just as
she was to leave the track the engine
struck her, and fortunately in such a
manner as to burl her from beneath
it's merciless wheels. Miss Buffers
escape from horrible death was as
thrilling as it was miraculous. The
\ force of the collision rolled her over
several times, and almost into the
arms of Hiram Darling who wit
messed the affair while standing out
side his little office on the levee.
The young lady suffered terribly
and her meanings could be heard
while being conveyed to the hospital
in the ambulance. Immediate COM
munication was had with the young
lady's father. who is a Muscatine
farmer. and her brother, who con-
ducts store at the same place. They
arrived this morning. when Miss
Butler had recovered sufficiently to
recognize !hem.
GATES A NECESSITY.