Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-05-30
SALEM
WOMAN
CRUSHED
Caught. Between Two
Cars OnSOIth Com
mercial Street
She Only Lived a Few Min
uteS and Never Regained
Consciousness

Mrs James Penlani, wife of Special
Policeman Penland, Of the Seventh
Ward, was crushed between two
freight cars, and instantly killed, on
the Commercial street switch on Sun
day afternoon, about 1920 The dread
full accident was witnessed by half
dozen people, who were within a short
distance Of the place, and they imme.
diately rushed to the aid of the unfor-
tunate woman, but life was ebbing
away, and she only breathed about
eight minutes after she was injured,
She was carried to the livery stable
across the street, and DR.. Gillis, who
was a witness of the accident, made
an examination. He found that she
was crushed through the abdomen,
and that the injuries would result fa-
tally. She never recovered con
sciousness, nor uttered a sound.
The details of the accident are pitt
full in the extreme. The southbound
freight train, in charge of Conductor
S. Thompson and Engineer VIM.
O'Mallay, was switching on the mid
die track The train has been cut in
three sections, a loose car standing
in the street within few feet of the
west sidewalk crossing, where an
other part of the train was close to
the walk, the ends of the two cars be-
ing only about 18 inches apart. The
cars stood in this position for several
minutes, and a number of people
passed between the cars. Mrs. Pen
land, and another South Salem wo-
man, were returning from Sunday
School, and supposed that the crossing
was perfectly safe. The other lady
went through safely, but as Mrs. Pen
land stepped between the cars they
came together with terrific force, and
she was caught between the couplers.
The body was carried hack about six
feet before 1t was released, and she
fell to the ground.
Conductor Thompson and the train
brakemen claim that they warned
Mrs. Penland not to cross but that
she did not heed their advice. They
claim that It was not intended for peo-
pie to pass through the opening, but
nevertheless a number had taken the
chances.
Deceased was raised near Jefferson,
and was nearly so years of age. Her
husband and three daughters survive
her. They are Mrs. Thos. Golden and
Miss Leona, of this city, and Mrs.
Nina Gilbert, Sarah, Wash She was
devout Christian woman, and a
member of the Methodist church. Her
neighbors and acQuaintances had a
high regard for her and extend their
sympathy to the bereaved family.
There is universal sympathy for
Mr.. Penland and his family, who
seems to have had more than their
share OF affiiction. Mr.. Penland is a
udlu-WOihih anu uSfOCSu man W
his family. He had the misfortune
some years ago to lose a fine team Of
horses Mr.. and Mrs. Penland had
two deafmute children, and they have
given them all that love and affection
could bestow on children. Mr.. PEN
land has been rebuilding his home
and getting into circumstances to af-
ford his family more of the comforts
Of life, when this calamity sweeps
away the mother of the family, and
leaves him to fight the battle of life
alone. Few men in Salem have more
true friends than Jas. Penland, and
they deeply and sincerely sympathize