The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1905-11-17
a KANsAN TELLS OF \ WRECK
The Engineer SObbed for Joy When
He Found He Was BlameIess.

The Engineer SObbed for Joy When
He Found He Was BIameIess-
John s. Parks, president Of the Con-
tinental Creamery company Of To-
Peka, was in the Chicago, Rock Is
land and Pacific railway wreck just
west OF Fairfield, Ia. last week Train
No II, westbOund, and No u, east
bound, cOlIided headend. Mr.. Parks,
who has returned to Topeka, related
two or three pathetic incidents that
came under his personal observation
Immediately following the wreck
The first was regarding the JOY Of
the engineer on train No. u, upon
which Mr.. Parks was travelling, when
he discovered that he had Obeyed or
ders and that the fault Of the wreck
did not lie with him
We found our engineer" said Mr..
Parks, ION the ground some distance
from his engine His leg was broken
and he was apparently in a dazed con-
ditiOn. He was carried back into one
OF the uninjured cars The place was
dark Suddenly the man appeared to
realize where he was and what had
taken place. He began TO talk
Somebody please get a light he
said. His voice was full Of earnest
ness Then with increasing vehe-
mence he said: say, won't some
body get a light In the name OF God,
please, Oh please get a light
by this time he appeared to have
worked himself into almost frenzy.
In fact, we who stood there beside
him thought that possibly he had be-
come deliriOus. Someone asked:
What do you want with a light?'
Ny God, man, don't stop 70 ask
questions. but in mercy's name get a
light I've been pulling an engine
more than twenty-five years and this
is the first time 1 was ever ditched-'
"A trainman came in at about this
time carrying a lantern
Hold il down here said the en-
gineer, as he reached in the upper
pocket OF his blouse and drew out a
piece of fiimsy paper On il was writ
ten his orders. His hands trembIed
like one with the palsy.
There it is he almost shouted,
and then he went on almost as one
sobbing. YOU see, No II was to have
been at Fairfield, where we were to
have met her?' Suddenly his whole
manner changed to great JOY.
Find George, my fireman. he
said, and tell him that we are in the
clear -
Another case happened. showing
how fond engineers and firemen be-
come of each other The fireman Of
No Il, the westbOUnd train, was
found lying beside the right Of way.
He was painfully injured. When we
reached him he said:
Don't bother about me, boys, I'm
all right, but for Gods sake find
Frank
'' Who's Frank some one asked.
" My engineer
90 But you are hurt and we will
look after you first
50 Not by a damned sight For Cod
sake find Frank
We had in the meantime found an
engineers torch. With this aloft we
circled about the wreck and by its
light we discovered the engineer up in
his engine His life had been crushed
out. 1 didn'thave the nerve to &c
back and tell the fireman the news OF
his Iartner'S end.
ITO me the most pathetic feature
Of the wreck was the way in which
the postal clerk died He was caught
, in his wrecked car and mangled. he
was gotten out and laid upon a mail
ing table As he was tenderly placed
upon the table he gave a deep s;sF
and then opened his eyes His eye
wandered about from one face to an
other ar : he Ssid:
Boys, don't leave me. I'm $,
lonesome
He shuddered a little bit and dlel
within the minute