The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1906-10-18
Driver Probably Fatally In
iured and Horses Will
Haye to be Shot.
CROSSING NOT GUARDED
Gates Are Up at Time of Accident /;
Gateman Says Lack of Win
dows in Shanty.

Hershel Engle. one of Verne Parker's
express drivers is lying in St Margar
cts hospital in a critical condition, as
the result of having been knocked out
Monon train as Engle was driving
across the tracks at Fayette street
The express drivers right leg was frac-
tured and he sustained other hurts
which it is thought may result in his
death. Both his horses were so seri
ously injured that it is probable they
will have to be shot. According to the
story of Engle and the admission OF
Thomas George, the man who has
charge of the gates at that crossing
the gates were up at the time Engle
started across the tracks.
George blames the railroad company
for not providing him with a shanty
from which it would be possible to see
approaching trains from all directions.
The shanty is equipped with only one
small window on the north side which
the gatekeeper declares is insufficient
The train which struck Engles
wagon was pulled BY Engine No. IL
with Engineer Towle in charge. Dan
Julius was the fireman and the train
was made up OF several empty cars
bound Tor the South Haupaond yards !.
Gates Tn; EngIe Crosses.
The gates being up, Engle started
across the tracks and just as he reached
the center of the crossing, the train
came laundering down the track. Engle
saw Ii and pulled his team to one side
and this was all that saved his life
As it was, the engine side swiped'
the horses and wagon, throwing them
to one side and hurting Engle from his
seat In the vehicle. He fell under the
horses, his leg being broken and sus-
tanning. 1t is thought. internal injuries
by being kicked by one of the horses.
DR.. Sharrer, the Monon's physician
was summoned to Walkers salooT
where Engle was taken and after ex.
animation the injured man was takeI
to st. Margarets hospital
The front legs of one of the horse.
We're badly bruised and the other on,
had hole about three inches In diam
eter in it's side where the engine strucl
1t.
In an interview with a TINES re
porter Thomas George said: Il ha,
the gates down waiting for No. OF
the Erie to pull up to the station. A
soon as another engine was put on
released the gates, not supposing ther
was a Monon train coming as it is ur
usual for these to go south at that tim
Another thing. my shanty only has on
small window on the north side whie
makes 1t impossible for me to see train
without going from the south side o
the shanty and walking out to the doc
then coming back and pumping tn
gates down. This takes lots of tim
and II one does not hurry everybody !
mad. / have been in the employ of tn
Menon road for nine years having bee
stationed at this crossing for the pas
eight years and this is my first acct
dent Had I had a decent shanty thi
accident would never have happene
and l am thankful that the fellow driv
ing the wagon was not killed outright.
When Engineer Towle was asked whs
he had TO say about the accident he re
piled: Engine No. u with myself /
charge was coming down the track car
rying several empty cars for Sout
Hammond, Supposing the gates weI
down we did not slack our speed. Ju:
as we reached the crossing the wago
was on the track and I put on the emel
gency brake, but not soon enough. Tt
train stopped about forty feet beyond
Dan Julius. the fireman. gave Il
same version OF the accident.