Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-12-05
HAD NARROW ESCAPE.
Driver of Mail Wagon Run Down BY
BurIinaton Train.

Burlington Train.
[From Wednesdays Daily.J
Joseph Grow, driver of one of the
city mail wagons who resides on Nor.
ris street, was the victim of an acct
dent on South Jefferson street last ev-
ening which will result in his being
weeks though it is thought that the
effects of the injuries will not be per-
manent. The mail wagon, driven by
Mr.. Grow was run down and overturn-
ed by a string of freight cars. which
were being pushed from the Burling-
ton freight house, and was damaged to
considerable extent. Mr.. Grow was
thrown from the wagon and received
injuries about the feet and lower
limbs.
Sees Signal Too Late.
The crossing on Jefferson street
where the accident occurred is dark
place, without a light or flagman and
it is almost impossible to see a string
of freight cars that are being push
ed from behind the freight house. Mr..
Crow, a driver of one of the mail wag-
ons transferring mail between the de-
pots and the postoffice, had started
from the Milwaukee depot with the
mail from the $50 o'clock train and
not hearing any bell or seeing head
light supposed that everything was
clear and started across the tracks.
just as his horse came onto the first
track Mr.. Crow saw the signal of the
brakeman and discovered that the
| cars from the Burlington freight
house were being pushed toward him.
Not being able to stop and back the
horse from the track he was IN
able to clear it by going ahead, as
the cars were almost upon him.
Train Strikes Mail Wagon.
When the wagon was struck the
train was not going at very great
speed but the wagon was overturned
and dragged some little distance be-
fore the cars could be stopped. Mr.
Crow was thrown from the wagon I'm.
der the horses feet, his injuries being
received by the horse tramping upon
his feet and lower limbs. He was i'm
mediately picked up and complaining
of his feet being so cold was taken in.
to the office of Swift and company
where it was discovered that no bones
were broken but that his feet and
limbs were bleeding profusely from
the injuries.
The Damage.
When the cars had been pulled
away from the wreck and the wagon
had been pulled clear of the track. the
damage was found to be considera BILE
One of the rear springs was broken
the left rear axle bent almost double
and the right front wheel totally
wrecked. The horse was uninjured
and was taken to the lot back Of the
city hall. Word of the accident was
telephoned to the postoffice and the
mails We're soon taken in charge by
one of the clerks.
Grow Taken Home.
Word of the accident was sent to
the police station and soon the patro
wagon arrived in charge of Chief John
Gray and Day Sergeant Morrissey and
took Mr. Grow to his home on Morris
street. Mr.. Crow is quite an aged
man and has been employed in haul
ing the mails for some time and is
known as one of the most careful driv
ers on the wagons. II is feared Mr.
Crow will be confined to his home fol
several weeks though the effects o.
the injuries will probably not be per
manent. Concerning the acciden
Mr.. Grow stated that he did not hear 6
bell or see headlight of any train APP
preaching and not until the horse wa!
upon the track did he see the sigma
of the brakeman.