The Daily Texarkanian., 1896-06-03
MOST FRIGHTFUL
Railway Wreck of the 10Th
Century
SAVED BY FATE
Held up by RObber-War Of Words
and Bullets Robber
Captured.
SAVED BY FATE

in fate, in destiny. l did not;
though do to great extent to-
day.
"a few years ago, in company
with a noted physician of Boston,
started from the Hub to Florida.
1t was the first day of the terrible
blizzard which cost Roscoe Conklin
and hundreds of others their lives.
We were snow-bound in Connecti-
cut until Thursday afternoon, when
we slowly made our way to New
York. We we're due to leave New
York that Thursday night at 8
o'clock on the Tampa sleeper. Our
berths we're reserved. 1t was 10
o'clock when we reached New York,
and the Florida train had left on
time. We left Jersey city on the
very early train the next mornlng
which reached Washington at l0:45
a, m. and Savannah, Ga, the next
morning at 7 a. M, which was the
same time the train leaving New
York at o'clock the night before
reached Savannah, aud from Sa-
vannah the sleepers of the two
trains were consolidated, and went
on southwark as one train.
"On this occasion, as travel was
very heavy each train went south
ward from Savannah as a section.
The train which left New York at 9
Thursday evening comprised the
first section. We were the second
section; every seat was full in each
train, and many we're unable to Sc
cure accommodations on either.
"rhe sleeper of the first section
went through to Tampa, and it was
necessary that the doctor go on it
in order to reach his winter home
at Palatka that evening, as section
No. 2 stopped at Jacksonville. The
doctor tried to exchange seats with
Mr.. Redmond, of Montreal, who
was in the first section. This Mr..
Redmond refused to do, though he
did not 90 farther than Jacksonville
that day.
Just this side the Blackshear
river we were signalled by man
waving red handkerchief. Our
train came suddenly to halt, and
we were informed that the bridge
had given way, and the entire train
of eleven cars had come down d
nrecipice of seventy teet.
CDR Flower took care of most Of
the wounded, and that evening he
took car load of the wounded and
l3 of the dead to Jacksonville. Had
he not been there very many of the
wounded would soon have been
among the dead Now the wonder
full part of this story is this: The
lady and gentleman to whom was
sold (ThursdaY evening in New
York; the section DR.. Flower had
had reserved for himself, were in
the midst of the wreck, the man
was killed outright and the lady ia
tally injured, only living a few
weeks. The Canadian who refused
to exchange seats to accommodate
the Doctor, had both legs broken,
his shoulder and elbow badly mash
ed, besides being seriously injured
internally. Twice was DR.. Flower
saved from this terrible wreck.
"In 1883 DR., Flower made pro-
tessional trip to Kansas. While in
Southern Kansas he took day off
for hunting. Wandering away
from his companions while strolling
along the border of the Indian Ter
ritory where game seemed most
plentiful, he was surprised by four
robbers who suddenly appeared
from a thicket. He was ordered to
throw up his hands. All right,
boys, he said, up goes my hands,
but don't point your guns this way.
The appearance of the muzzles gives
me the neuralgia. They seemed to
enjoy his half impudeut reply AT
ter the leader had relieved him Of
his watch and money he shook
hands with the Doctor and started
to go, when DR.. Flower remarked,
Il don't don't mind you taking my
money and watch, but feel sorry
for ySu because they can never do
you any good. Why, SOP demand
ed the outlaw. Because you are
now suffering with Bright's Disease
Of the Kidneys, and have also a
heart trouble which Of itself must
soon kill you How do you know ]
have kidney aud heart trouble2'
asked the robber, Il did not think
any one in this wide world could tell
sick man his trouble without ask
ing any questions except DR., h. G.
Flower, of Boston, 1t is now the
Doctors turn Drawing himself up
to his fullest height, and fastening
his eyes on the bandit, he said, i
am DR.. Flower of Boston. The
robber said in a nervous tone, i
have long wanted to see you. You
can help me, can you notY Yes,
under certain conditions, Name
them, said the robber That you
return to me what you have taken,
and that you give me I 1000, anc
change your present way Of living
u can only give 800 today, but
will agree to the other terms. 'AlI
right said the Doctor, Now hands
up and shell out, and the robbel
good naturedly hand over the SOC
and what he had taken from the
! Doctor. Now said DR., Flower,
I give me your name and address,
My name is Bob Cockerel but SEND
everything for me to VIM. Fewmier
Mound City, Kansas, and ! will re-
celve It, and trust to your honor
to preserve my secret,
To-day Bob Cockerel uuder AN