The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-27
NEWS FROM THE WRECK.
Some Details of the Santa Fe Collision
on Cajon Mountain.

OA 4e.lOA AA0AA etAAAA
San Bernardino. Cal. Jan 27-The
two engines, Nos. S42 and 773. which
were in the recent CaJon pass disaster,
We're brought down the hill last night,
and today a large number Of people
were attracted to the yards to see them.
They were more expressive than words
of the frightfulness and force with
which the engines came together. En-
gineer Reeds cab was crowded with the
tender Of the engine, a mass of broken
and twisted iron and timbers. Had lie
remained in the cab he would have
been crushed to death. The other ell
CINE Jared even worse, though both can
be repaired at little cost, considering the
damage which was done to some of the
box cars. which were reduced to kind
ling
Many members of the B. of l. F.. to
which Fireman Beckett belonged, WIS.,
tied the undertaking parlOrs Of Barton
& Catliclz to take a last look upon the
face Of the dead fireman as he lay irs
the beautiful casket. The features had
been cleared OF all evidences OF the dis
aster and the dead man looked as one
wrapped in gentle sleep. The members
OF the local lodge of the brotherhood
sent a beautiful floral tribute resem-
bling a wheel with a spoke gone, which
was taken to Los Angeles with the
body. On the casSet were the words,
engraved upon silver plate: Age %:
Charles W. Beckett B. Of L. F."
The local Railroad men wish the re
ond time from an oil ear denied AC-
c0rding to some reports which have
gained circulation, the widest kind OF
disorder prevailed among the railroad
men Immediately following the collision
in Cajon pass 1t is stated that EnSi-
neer Reed, in the general delirium or
excitement. after he had leaped frOna
the train climbed back upon the oil car
and again leaped madly off This is
not So When Engineer Reed saw thar
he could not stop the runaway tram
and that Il collision with the stalled en-
CINE 773 was eminent, he and Fireman
one OF the oil cars, and Just al the mo-
ment Of the collision they leaped, being
thrown by the force of the impact fifty
feet from the train. and two car lengths
from the engine. Reed was so badly
injured by the fall, having struck Tie
earth on his head and back. that he
could not rise to his feet In fact he lay
for some moments unconscious.
As a result of the catastrophe on tn
Santa Fe which cost the lives Of three
men and injured a fourth, the Santa e
company viii probably be made the de-
fendant in three big damage suits. and
put to the expense of costly litigation
Attorney R. E. BledsOe has been re
( tanned by the families of the victims OF
the accident to look after their inter
ests. and yesterday Mr. BledSOe COM
menced work upon the cases. He at
tended the inquest held by Coroner Pitt
man over the remains of the late Con-
ductOr Beckett and will have tran
scribed the testimony introduced.
After hearing the evidence and con-
versins with the witnesses. Mr.. Bledsoe
gave it as his opinion that suit could
be maintained against the Santa F'e
company for damages Il believe said
Mr.. BledsOe. that the Santa Fe COM
pany is criminally liable. The COM
pany has been overtaxing its men and
overstraining its locomotive power The
men have protested against taking q
tram of more than 50 cars up the hill
because an engine cannot control
heavier train. but their protests have
not been needed"
The inouest was not concluded yes
terday and a searching investigation
win be made Of the case by Corones
Pittman- i am determined to get al
the facts says the coroner. and wit
endeavor to place the blame where il
belongs"