Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1900-11-15

Probably the worst train wreck ever
known in this part OF the state occurred
Thursday morning about mile and a
half south OF Roseburg, when two
freight trains crashed together at full
speed.
The trains were the regular south.
bound local freight, No. 225, with seven
cars, pulled by engine No. 1756, in
charge OF Engineer Sam Hendricks
Fireman T.. d. Riddle, Conductor A. u.
lnglerock and Brakeman Ernest Mori-
an, II. W. Jackson and F. NJ. Calvin
The other train was northbound extra
freight, with II cars, pulled BY engine
No. 1863, in charge of Engineer W. H..
brennan, Fireman Wilhelm. Conductor
Al Cloyu and Brakemen G. d. Camp
bell, VIM. Wren and A. + English.
The collision occurred on curve in a
dense fog The rails were slippery and
all attempts to stop were vain
Engineer Sam Hendricks and Fire.
man Wilhelm were instantly killed.
Engineer Brennan was taken from the
wreck unconscious, with his head badly
injured and his right arm and lett leg
broken In several places. Fireman L.
d. Riddle had his left foot broken at
the ankle. Brakeman Campbell was the
most seriously injured of the three.
His head WAS badly hurt, leg and arm
broken and spine injured
A special train was made up at Rose.
burg and the injured men were taken to
Portland hospitals; brennan to st Vim
cents and Campbell and Riddle to the
Good Samaritan, Campbell died at
10 80 Thursday evening.
The cause of the disaster was the fact
that the conductor OF the extra mistook
Thursday for Wednesday. Yet Engineer
brennan is responsible also, and it
seems inexplicable that both men
should labor under the same delusion.
The surviving brakemen testify that
they dill not think about what day it
was. Following is the evidence Of Con-
ductor Cloyd Of the extra at coroner's
inquest:
Conductor Albert Cloyd, Of extra
freight, testified in substance that he
had been freight conductor for about
three years. Most of the time on extra
trains. His brakemcn on Nov. s were
c. d. Campbell, VIM. Wren and A. f
English. Got first orders for this train
at Ashland. Also got running orders
at Mediord, Grants Pass and Glendale
TO run to Rosebuu. At Riddle received
orders that sou,hhound through iEeight
NO 22l was one hour late, Roseburg to
Myrtle Greek. This order was received
at 4;6S a. IN. Would take him abou,
one hour and twenty minutes running
time to Roseburg. Net the overland
No. 10 at Ruckles aud through freight
No. % at billiard Was not aware that
No. 225 was leaving Roseburg that
morning Tor the reason he believed
Nev. to be Wednesday instead of Tues.
day. Did not talk with the engineer
about it. Had he known as to It's being
Thursday would have laid by for the
local freight at Green's.
The time card was changed Oct. Is.
as before that the local freight ran daily
unless annulled. After giving engineer
orders at Riddle looked at his card again
and was satisfied the day was wednes,
lay. Extras have no regular time bu,
20 On running orders. II they were
aware this was regular day for loca
freight they would have met al Green's, /
Cause Of this accident was complicated. |
Was extremely careful as he, with other
trainmen, believed the complication of |
orders would sooner or later cause an |
accident. II he had known this was
the regular date for freight would have
held bis train at Green's.