The Cairo bulletin., 1907-03-29
On Southern Pacific Re-
suits in Death Of 26
and Injury Of 100
OVERLAND IS OERAILEO
WHEN 1T CRASHES INTO AN
OPEN SWiTcR--ALL BUT TWO
OF THE DEAD ARE FOR
EiGkORe--MANY ES.
CAPE.

Cotton, Cal, March 2S.A disast-
.rouh wreck on ths Southern Pacific
occurred just east Of Cotton this af-
tcfno1n when west boand train No q,
iAom New Orleans to San Francisco
ran into an open switch while going
at rate Of 40 miles an hour and 10
.of the IA coaches were derailed with
frightful results.
Twsnty-six people are KNOWN 10
have been killed and the final list
will reach higher than this number
The injured number about 100,
many of whom are seriously injured
and viii de.
The wrecked coaches were huylel
in ve.y direction Four of them were
mashed into splinters. Most of the
dead were italians. They occupied
the smoker and day coach The vic
tins were terribly manned and mang-
led. Eighteen wer3 taken to under
taking establ shments at Cotton by 5
O'Clock and eight additional bottles
be seen underneath one cf the over
turned and demolished cars. This car
could not be raised until a derrick
was brought from Los Angeles 60
miles away The injured we.e carried
to this city In vehicles Of all sorts AMI
Cotton hospital was quickly filled to
Is capacity. Many more We're then
taken 10 the Presbyterian church and
TO priVa;e residences in the vicinity.
Only Two Americans Killed.
But two Americans are known u
lave been Killed. although several
among The Injured will undoubtedly
lie within the next few hours.
George L. Sharp. of MGncia, Ind.
was instantly killed.
A baggageman, whose name has not
been ascertained, also was Killed.
Engineer Clarence g. Wormington,
and Fireman Victor Crebb both jump.
ed but failed TO get clear, and were
caught in the wreckage. Both were
terribly burned and scalded John
Golden, conductor was in the Pullman
section of the train and escaped in
jury.
Out Of about so Pullman passengers |
there were but two who sustained ser.
Gus injury. Tho thsee Pullman |
coaches and the diner, which were on
the rear of The train, did not leave the |
track.
Theatrical company's Escape.
The occupants Of these cars were |
pract cally unharmed. The Florence |
Roberts theatrical company occupied |
me coach which was hurled from the /
track and both ends of it crushed by /
the impact against othe-s. Brt two
members of the company out of % |
were injured. Miss Roberts herself |
escaped entirely unhurt The escape |
from death of The occupants OF this |
car is remarkable. considering the
manner in which the coach was spln-
tered and torn to pieces. Msn and
women were hurled from one end Of |
the car to the othe~.
switchmsn's Neglect the Cause.
The derailment Of the train was
caused by the crew of a switch en-
gine Leaving a switch open at this
point. II is said the engine passed. |
through The switch few minutes be-
fore the Overland appeared.
A switchman named Morrison was
in the yard. After the switch eng ne !
had passed onto another track the /
engineer asked the fireman If he bad /
thrown the switch. The fireman re
called he had neglected 10 do SO and |
the engineer whistled flantically for
Morrison 70 close H. TIE sigaal was
not given in time. as Morrison did /
rot reach the switch before the Over
land had plunged through and ieel
1erailed.