The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1904-01-13
NEW YORK MEDICAL MAN THE HERO.
Seventeen Killed in Wreck on the
Long island K. r.

Topeka, Kan. (SpeciaD Seventeen
persons were killed and 81 injured by
the collision OF the Rock Island Rail
roads California and Mexico express
with a freight train at I.35 o'clock a.
m, two miles west OF Willard, Kan.
Willard is ID miles west OF Topeka.
Most Of the injured are in hospitals
in Topeka. The doctors announce that
all will recover except Mrs. NJ. A. Hill,
OF Greensburg, Kan.
1t is thought tna. carelessness by
trainmen caused the wreck Instructed
~ meet special stock train at Will
lard, the engineer and conductor Of the
ill-fated passenger train, noting that a
freight train stood on the side track
at Willard, rushed through, thinking
that the cars they had seen were the
ones they had been instructed to pass.
Upon seeing the freight train on the
siding, Engineer s. J. Benjamin threw
open the throttle. Under the impetus
OF full steam the passenger train leap
ed into the darkness and dashed along
at a rate which, the passengers say,
was fully 6s miles an hour. Not a note
OF warning OF the impending danger
made itself known.
General Superintendent Gruber, oI
the Rock Island, made this statements,
The engineer OF the passenger train
had orders to wait at Willard for the
special stock train. Nobody else is tc
blame so far as our information goes
The hero OF the wreck was DR.. +.
NJ. Bell, OF New York city, a young
physician. himself cripple walking or
crutches. DR.. Bell, although slightly
hurt as a result OF the collision. wa,
the first man to leave the Pullman
sleeper, which was not damaged. Strug.
Cling heroically forward OH his crutches
he assumed charge OF the rescue work.
First he ordered the chair car and
sleeper cleared. Then, after directing
the removal OF the injured to these
cars, he allayed the pain OF the injured
as much as was possible without med-
cine or instruments, bandaged broken
legs and arms with strips torn at his
direction by others from sheets and
pillow slips, administered what whs-
ky was at hand to deaden the injuries
until the relief train should arrive, and
saved the life OF the fireman by tying
an artery with the aid OF penkniie and
piece OF string.
After working until nearly exhausted
DR.. Bell gave way only when physi
clans arrived from Topeka with medi-
cincs and instruments. He was on his
way to FL Paso, Texas. for his health.
Soon after returning to Topeka from
the scene OF the wreck he boarded an
other train for the South.
When the collision came" said DR..
Bell before his departure, "wc in the
sleeper we're in our berths. / was
thrown from mine and Immediately got
into my clothes to see what was wrong.
II saw that medical assistance was
the first thing needed There were
two young women in my car who Of
fered their services, and they WORKED
unhesitatingly with the injured. All
the people in the slecpers were bun
died out TO make room Tor the injui ed.
With one exception, those in the
slcepers devoted themselves unselhsh-
ly to the care OF the wounded, That
exception was man who wouldn't
give up his berth. l told some men to
jerk him ont. Thev jcrked HIM out,
and / haven't seen him since"