The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-10-31
CHICAGO LIMITED ACCIDENT
The Train Went a Mile and a
Hall Unguided
g. w. PRESCOTT TO RETIRE
Evidence Given ia the Trial OF Button for
the Murder of Bohm
Burned by Molten Lead Notes OF the
Day ana Personal nentiol of
6. w. PRESCOTT TO RETIRE
Burned by Molten Lead - Notes OF the
Day ana Personal nention of
Interest

SAN BERNARDINO, Oct. 3O.-The
first Chicago limited as was told IN
yesterdays Herald, on the Santa Fe,
met with a mishap near lrvington last
night which resulted in wrecked wagon
ana a broken leg for Engineer Lumsden,
gave the railroad people a scare that they
will not soon forget, and for an hour or
two the o ttices in this city and Los An
gees were persuaded that the N agniti-
cent train must be in the ditch. and that
the fine new Pullmans were wrecked
with big load of passengers. Engineer
James Lumsden took the limited out from
this city for the run over the hill at 1O:25
p. m. After he had passed lrvington,
seven miles north OF the city and some
distance this side OF Keenbrook, the train
was bowling along at from 30 to 50 miles
an hour and on rounding a curve the
engineer and fireman discovered some
thing just ahead that at hurried glance
they took to be- another train bearing
down upon them and but few feet away.
A collision in which there would be an
awful loss of life seemed inevitable, and
as the coming train seemed 50 near with
out waiting TO reverse the lever or turn on
the air the engineer and fireman dashed
across the cab from their respective seats
and leaped to tie ground, expecting the
crash of the w trains almost before they
could land on the grade.
The crash came an instan later, but
it was not nearly so serious as they had
expected, and with noise of breaking
timbers, the train rushed on and was
soon lost to view. Eat the locomotive
which was at the front was tearing along
with no hand at the lever. and no fire
man to keep up steam. ana the train
came to a stand still mile and half
up the track.
But the obstruction was only Mexi-
cans wagon loaded with wood. His
team had pulled the load until the wagon
stood squaiely across the track, and the
horses had been unable to get 1t over.
In the darkness and with some fog hang
ing low, the wagon was mistaken for an
incoming traih, and the trainmen had
jumped, as they sup posed, for their lives.
The wagon belonged to Mexican
named Martinez, and h g had a four horse
team. the front wheels had cleared the
track, but as the rear wheels struck the
rail chain broke and the wagon could
not be moved. Just then the train was
heard coming, and before the Mexican
had time to unhitch the engine struck
his wagon and in the wreck one horse
went down.
AS soon as the fireman had recovered
from his fearful Jump he gathered him
self together, borrowed one of Martinez
horses and started after the flying train,
coming up to where it stopped more than
mile away. He afterward came back
down the track to the city to flag any
other train and to report the situation.
In falling the engineer landed in such
way. that his right leg was broken
squarely off at the ankle. both bones be-
ing shattered. The fireman was more
fortunate, Sustaining only severe bruises.
Word could net BIZ brought back to the
city for an hour or more, and In the
meantime the train was lost so far as
the officials were concerned. and they
could obtain no tidings whatever of the
missing overland. The fireman finally
reached this city and reported what had
happened, but the officials did not dare
send out another engine, for fear that
the runaway train might come backing
down the hill with its load of human
freight. A hack was therefore dispatched
from Cropleys' stable and another en-
gineel sent out. The train was found
some distance above Irvington. and the
trainmen at sonce proceeded to get up"
steam and during the night went Oh over
the hill. The hack brought Engineer
Lumsdeu back to town, and he was taken
to the Sisters hospital and DR.. Baylis
summoned. The broken bones were given
| temporary attention and the surgeons
are operating again today. The fracture
IS a very difficult one to handle.
The Mexican's wagon was. of course,
scattered into space, and it will require
] hi ~ 0oth 10 ra
ments of his load of wood.
PRESCOTT TO RETIRE.
G. W. Prescott retires from the position
oflmssteI mechanic of the Southern Cali
fornla railway tomorrow. He will be sue
ceeded by o. F. Late, formerly divis on
master mechanic OF the Wabash railway,
! but recently MEMBER of the board OF
railroad and warehouse commissioners of
! Illinois.
For some time it has been rum ofed
that u successor to Mr.. Prescott was to be
appointed, but nothing definite has been
! given out with reference to the important
| change, and the rGmor is only confirmed
! by the arrival of Mr. Late from the east
| Fe is a man about so years of age has
been railroading all his life and has crod
itably filled the same position with the
Wabash as he now assumes with the
| Southern California.
Mr.. Prescott's retirement is due to II
health. he having been practically dis
qualihed for work for year or so. anC
the company found it necessary to secure
the services of a younger and more active
man in tho position.
MIR. Late is now in Los Angeles. II,
vis;sted this city last year, being then {
member of the Illinois commission. H'
is an old time friend of General Manage;
Wade. who was formerly with the Wabast
company. The change is understood tt
be IN effect Novemb Der /.
THE BUTTON CASE.
The interest in the Button case con-
tinues undated, and as each witness goe
ON the stand to tell of the most brutal
treatm emit of which BONN was the victim
before he was finally shot. the crowd o
listeners grows and tho throng hears witt
bated breath tho story Of the crime
Judge Otis court room is not nearly larg
enough2to accom- modate those who wis
to attend and before court opens the al
has beco me close and heavy.
Fred Heap. who was the first witness
called for the prosecution, was on the
stand until court adjourned last night
and again for short time this m orning,
and before the attorneys were througl
with him it had been conclusively show
by his testimony that Bohm had beer
lying on the ground when Button mad