The herald., 1897-02-08
Yet Occupants Escape Without
Serious Injury
FELL IN A BIG MUD PUDDLE
And the Water Removed the Danger
Of Pire
Tho northbound Oregon Express Runs at
Full Speed Into the Train Trav.
cling to the South
associated Press Special Wire

ASSoclate0 FreSS special Wlro
CHICO, Feb. 7.-What might have
been a very disastrous wreck but was
fortunately unattended by loss Of life
occurred at Nord, about eight miles from
Chico, early this morning. The north
bound Oregon express being fifteen min
utes behind, the southbound train was
ordered to sidetrack at Nord and wait
for the northbound train to pass. AS
the train pulled onto the sidetrack it
was found that as a boxcar had been
left standing 1t was necessary for the
express to slacken speed and push the
boxcar ahead. Just then the nothbound
train was seen approaching down the
smooth track, with no intention of stop
ping. 1t was impossible for the engineer
on the northbound to see the headlight
of the southbound as 1t was behind the
boxcar. Before all the cars of the south
bound No. 16 could get upon the side
track the other train struck them. The
engine struck the smoker first, plowing
its way along to the next car, which
was the tourist car. turning 1t COM
pletely over but leaving the trucks on the
track. In this car the passengers were
thrown from their seats to the lower side
OF the car. which was lying in a deep
pool Of water alongside of the track.
The passengers at first thought they had
been thrown from a trestle into some
river. In this car were seven deserters
of the regular army handcuffed to-
gether and guarded by six soldiers For
tunately the lamps in the car immedi-
ately went out and only few Goals of
fire fell from the stove and those were
soon extinguished by the water that
came rushing in through the broken
windows. The passengers in this car
were soon released from their perilous
position, and It was found that only one
was injured, one Ct the deserters having
an arm broken. The next car, being
tourist sleeper. was the last one struck
before the engine was stopped. 1t was
lifted into the air but not turned COM
pletely over. When q reporter visited the
scene Of the wreck this morning the
wrecking train had arrived from Sacra-
mento and cleared the track sufficiently
to allow the Red Bluff local to pass. The
passengers from the northbound were
taken to Sacramento by the morning
local, and train made UP at Chico
which proceeded on its way to Oregon.
Che damage to the engine of train No.
was only slight, piece of scantling
nad pierced the front.
The injured are as follows: Hans G.
Hansen, military prisoner, EN- route to
Alcatraz from Vancouver, left arm
broken above the elbow; W. o Thomas
Salt Lake, Utah, right hand cut, hip and
leg bruised; Alfred Holm, newsboy,
Warner, Walla Walla, Wash, en- route
to San Diego, left thumb sprained and a
cut and abrasion on back Of left hand;
A. j. Thornton, private, U. s. A., scalp
cut and confusion on right side of head.
KILLED BY THE CARS.
CALIENTE, Feb. IA horrible acci-
dent occurred here today, in which John
Hardisty, young man, 30 years old,
who recently came here from Newport
N. c., and Miss Cora Akers Of Fresno
Cal, were instantly killed, being run
over by light engine while crossing a
trestle.
Hardisty and Miss Akers, with two
others, were leisurely crossing the bridge
when the engine came around curve
and rushed upon them. Miss Akers was
thrown under the wheels, her body be-
ing cut in two. Hardisty, in endeavoring
to save the life Of his companion, was
also thrown under the engine, both of his
legs being cut off above the knees. The
other couple succeeded in crossing the
trestle in safety.
MORE LUCKY ESCAPES.
ALAMEDA, Feb. 7.-Shortly after
o'clock this afternoon a broad guage
local train dashed round an abrupt
curve near Buena Vista into funeral
procession which was crossing the track.
The engine just missed the hearse, but
struck the hack Immediately behind it,
in which were five of the mourners. The
vehicle was completely wrecked, but its
occupants fortunately escaped with a
few nasty cuts and bruises Herbert
Grove. the driver of the hack, was
thrown between his horses and was seri-
ously kicked by one of them on the head.
A CARELESS OPERATOR.
MONTGOMERY, Ala, Feb IA
'head-end collision between freight
trains occurred this morning on the
Louisville and Nashville road near My
ers' Switch, swenty miles from this city,
due to the olrelessness of the telegraph
operator in failing to signal the south
bound train. Sink kirkland. engineer,
aged rs, of Montgomery, and Brakeman
Weller of Middleborough, KY, were
killed. and the fireman is believed to be
fatally hurt After the accident the op-
orator took to the woods and has not
been seem since.