Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-05-23
MILLER AND PETERS
Have an Experience They VIII Not
Soon Forget.


The Durango bound passenger at
about 1880 yesterday morning was
speeding on Its way towards this city
about nine miles this side of Pueblo
at point known as San Carlos river.
before reaching the bridge there is
quite a long stretch of straight track
ana the engineer was peering ahead
as is usual at night There was a
clear track and the manipulator of
the throttle was sending the huge
machine over the rails at lively gait.
lie sighted the bridge. which covers
the main stream and ravine, being
ABOUT zoo feet in length, little dream
Ing what was in store. AS his engine
touched the bridge the reflection Of
the headlight depicted a scene that
was sufficient to make the blood run
cold. A few feet away was n roar
ing. seething mountain of water car
rying along on its crest huge logs,
driIt wood, etc. The engineer put
on full steam in hopes of crossing the
bridge in advance. but too late. The
locomotive, however, succeeded in
crossing the bridge aud trestle when
1t was knocked from the track. The
crest of the mountain of water struck
the train between the last day coach
and Pullman car. separating the two
as though held together by rotten
twine. The two coaches, baggage
and mail car were switched around
endways and landed about fifty feet
below the bridge on what is usually
dry ground but at the time in eight
or ten feet Of water. but fortunately
the coaches remained right side up.
The Pullman car was veered around,
the hind trucks resting on the track
at the edge of the bridge. the front
part being down stream in slanting
condition. There were seventeen
passengers In the sleeper and three
employees. The water began pouring
In through broken windows and the
front door. N. C. Miller occupied
berth No. s. which was on the lower
side OF the car. The water reached
his berth along with liDerai dose OF
mud and slush. Opposite him was
Mr.. Peters. who was thrown out or
towards Mr.. Miller's berth. Those
lower down were in still worse nx
than Mr.. Miller. those at the rear Of
the car being out OF the reach OF the
water. All were in perilous predic.
ament. however. few knowing Just
the position they were In. Windows
on the upper side OF the car were
raised and broken and the passen-
gers crawled to the roof OF the car
| which was rather dangerous as it was
tilted both ways. In this way they
reached dry land. Fortunately no
one In the car was injured except one
man whose hand was quite badly lac.
Grated caused by breaking glass of
the state room through which he es-
capped.
The passengers In the day coaches
finding themselves safe and hemmed
In by water on all sides remained
where they were except a man named
Groves. publisher of Ranch and Range.
When the coach was landed down
stream he thought quick work was
necessary and plunged from the car
into the water and for few minutes
struggled for the shore but failed to
make 1t. finally catching hold of log
passing by which he ssraddled and
managed to hang onto to, thus being
conveyed down stream for distance
OF two miles when the log grounded.
The other passengers were relieved
during the forenoon.
When word was conveyed to Pueblo
wrecking train was sent out and
the Pullman passengers taken to Pu.
eblo for breakfast and clothes pur.
chased for those who were missing
boots. shoes, hats. coats. In fact every
thing they possessed. Mr.. Miller es-
capped from the car In his night shirt.
His coat, pants and other parapner-
MALTA presents a dilapidated appear
| ance as well as his valise. He came
to the city wearing pair, o. overaIls
and jumper belonging to one OF the
| section men. Others Jared as badly,
but the Denver e. Rio Grande came to
the rescue In fine shape. Being un-
able to reach the wrecked and strand.
ed passengers on the other side OF the
stream they were compelled to await
the subsistence of the waters. La
ter in the day transfer was made by
wagons and the train arrived at
this morning.
| There were many Mexicans occu.
pyfng the fats below San Carlos
bridge and they were aroused by the
water entering their cabins and they
ciamored to the roofs and other places
Of safety.