The San Francisco call., 1897-12-07
Passengers Severely Shaken Up,
but None Seriously
Injured.
VAS IT CAUSED By CARELESSNESS ?
Employees and Officers Alike Reticent
as to the Responsibility of
the Accident.

The regular San Jose local passenger
train which leaves this city at o'clock
collided yesterday evening at about $40
with the incoming special racetrack train
at Twenty third street and Treat avenue.
1t was miraculous that no one was killed,
as the two engines were iammed together
and the tender of the lngleside train was
telescoped into the baggage-car. The San
Jose train left the depot at o'clock un-
der the supervision of Condu ctor St1n-
wood. Engineer George Rockwell and
Fireman Riley. On engine 1914 of the
Ingleside train were Conductor Spear,
Engineer Thyle and Fireman Dan Nc
Carty.
As the San Jose train turned the curve
on Treat avenue the engineer saw the
headlight of the incoming train. which
was running at a far rate of speed and
which was not over 300 yards from Treat
avenue. Engineer Rockwell immedi-
ately turned on the airbrakes and
whistled. An attempt was then made by
the engineer on the other train to come 10
a standstill but it was downgrade and
the effort was useless.
When the trains were nearly together
Rockwell attempted TO reverse his en-
CINE, but it was too late, and the heavy
trains crushed into one another with a
terrible Jar. The engineer and fireman of
the Ing eside train jumped as soon as
they saw that a collision was inevitable,
but Rockwell manfully stayed at his post
and fortunately escaped without injury.
Both trains were large, the InGeside
train having ten pass nger-cars, besides
baggage car and the engine, and the
outgoing train was made up of about the
same number of cars, but the coaches
were heavier. AS the San Jose train was
at a standstill when the accident occurred,
and the incoming train running slowly
the cars, with the exception OF the bag
gage-car on the Inglesde tram, were not
badly damaged, but the weight of the
trains caused some of the cars to jun p
the track as well as smash the tender OF
the San Jose train.
When the trains collided the passen-
gers were thrown in forc!bl manner to
the floor, and many OF them struck their
heads on the seats in front, receiviDg Q
slight scratches and bruises.
Tierney, boy who sells peanuts on the
San Jose trains, Was thrown 10 the floor
of the car and was stunned, but soon re-
gained his senses and WIS able to proceed
home without assistance.
During t excitement tending the ac-
cIdent all sorts Of vague rumors were
floating about. 1t was stated by some
had been seriously injured, but those in
charge OF the train denied that there had
been baggageman on board. 1t was also
rumored that San Jose passenger had
been robbed of $500, but there was no
foundation for the report. The rapiditv
with which the officials spirited away
those who had some knowledge OF the
affair was almost as miraculous as the
accident itself.
Wnen order had been restored the
passengers and train hands started
through the train TO see if any one had
been seriously injured, but it was soon
discovered that almost all the passenger rs
had miraculousiy escaped without the
slightest injury, while some had sus-
talned but few braises. Those who were
on the San Jose train were soon on their
way, as train was brought to the scene
from the Valencia-street station. Those
who were returning from the races took
convenient streetcars, and all that was
longer thought of concerning the acc1-
dent was the miracle which surrounded
the whole affair.
With the exception of a few bruises to
passengers and slight damage to the en-.
gine and baggage cars an accident which
might have been frightful in lis result 8
was forgotten.
Just now the accident happened IS a
mystery, but 1t is rumorei that the San
Jose train should have waited as usual at
Harrison street Tor tue special, but instead
attempted to go on to the Valencla-street
station. The conductor of the special
train stated that he had orders 10 proceed
to Harrison street, but the conductor of
the San jose local was Ieticeut and re-
fused to cast any light upon an acciden I
that ended so luckily to all concerned.
Felix Spurgeon, civil and mining en-
gineer, residing in Oakland, was among
The injured ones in to-day'~ accident on
the WaV home from the In stda ara
ak He WIS pitched over the at IN
the collision and his right shoulder badly
bruised. His back was a so badly strained
ard he will be com PEELED to remain in bed
ios time.