Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-09-26
ENGINEER IN
DIRE STRAITS
is INVALID AS RESULT OF GLEN.
DALE WRECK
HIS ENGINE WAS DITcHED BY
pIARoLIcAL DEVICE
Has Not Been Able to Work Since
May %, When Disaster oe-
curred--Is Mason In
Good Standing

Charles McCarn, engineer Of the train
which was ditched through the diabolical
work of wreckers at Glendale at 1880 the
morning Of May %, is lying Ill, without
funds or sufficient nourishment IN the
ANAL room he calls home at 1N7 North
Main street.
For forty-three years McCarn has been
an engineer the last twenty-three OF
them being passed in the service or the
Southern Pacific. He has always beer
known as a cool, cautious man ana
ranked high in the records Of the COM
pany.
Since the date of the wreck, in which
two persons lost their lives and a score
were seriously injured. McCarn has been
unable to do any work. The shock to MS
serves caused by the frightful catastro-
phe has proved too much, and 1t is prob
able the remainder Of his life Will be
passed in bed.
He Is suffering from paralysis Of the
nerves and right hip. and during tine
greater part of the time lies listlessiy
staring at the ceiling and paying little
attention to the things which go on about
him.
Tries to Work
For five days after the wreck McCarn
Law under physicians care In MS nome
Then he felt strong enough to return TO
work and reported for duty to his su-
neriors. He was instructed to report
10 the train master and take his engine
out IN his former run. For ten days ne
reported regularly, but at last could stano
AZ no longer and collapsed one morhihs
while on his way to work
He was taken to his home in carriage,
and since that time has been unable TO
stand With his wife as his sole nurse
and being compelled to rely for aid on the
few friends who knew of his helpless con-
dtfion. McCarn still for a time retained
his former spirit and refused to allow the
Masonic lodge, of which he has been
member for twenty years, to be notined
of his circumstances.
AT last IL has become necessary for the
family to ask for aid, and the Masonic
lodge will be requested to assist It's
stricken member.
ne family is in need of food ana
money. while McCarn stands constantly
in need of medicine.
The wreck at Glendale which resulted
In McCarn's condition was the climax OF
q long series of misfortunes. TWO years
ago the little home which they had erect
ed after years of careful savings was
DESTROYED by fire. There was no insur-
ance on the building or contents and all
was total loss.
During 1906 Mrs. McCarn was Ill
greater part of the time and at the end
of the year it was found that the bills
for medicine and physicians had amount
ed to $500.
Wife Suffers, Too
These bills were paid, and on the LIST
of January the family started the year
with a clean slate They felt confident
I the new year would prove a lucky one
for them, but a few weeks later Mrs
McCarn fell and broke her left arm.
Since that time she has been compelled
to keep, it constantly in a sling, and she
still suffers as result of the injuries.
Officials of the railroad company by
which McCarn was employed have visit
ed the man and have informed him that
his position will remain open for him
until such time as it Is found whether
he will be able to return to work. When
it is found that he will not be able to
again take charge of his engine they offer
to pension him at $65 a month. The in
jured engineer has hesitated to notify
them that he will not be again able to
work for fear he may recover his
strength and will then be refused his old
position
Today word will be sent members of
the Masonic order requesting them to
call on MeCarn and assist him in his
trouble.