The Oskaloosa herald., 1908-07-02
FRANK WHITE HURT.
Hit By Iowa Central Engine On
Second Street Crossing.

Frank White, the eighteen year old
son Of H. l.. White, narrowly escaped
death at the intersection of South Sec
ond street and the Iowa Central tracks
shortly before 400 o'clock Saturday
afternoon. He was driving the wagon
for the Monarch Steam Laundry going
south ON Second street and as he was
crossing the railroad tracks, the Iowa
Central engine No. los, driven by Ed
Anderson and Fireman McDonough,
came from the west and hit the wagon
just opposite the front wheels, cutting
1t in two and smashing the rear half
into "smithereens." Frank stood up
in an effort to jump out of the wagon
and as the collision occurred he was
hurled against the wagon with such
force that the bones of his right leg
were fractured in three places be-
tween the knee and ankle. He fell toI
the ground to the left of the wagon
and ON the south of the tracks. strik-
ing on his head and shoulders. Medi-l
cal assistance was secured immediate
ly and he was removed to his home at
465 North Ninth street where he is
being given the best of care. The
bones of the leg were set Saturday
evening but, owing TO the inflamma-
ton, could not be put into cast and
another adjustment of the fractured
member may be required. 1t is as yet
In 20 xxth nr ~ m.
putation will be necessary, but ply
sicians are hopeful of being able toI
save the limb.
According to the story told oy Frank
White, he was driving slowly and had
let the horse come to walk while
crossing the tracks. He mad looked
out of the wagon but was not expect
ing train at that time of the day and
the first warning he had of the APP
preaching train was when the wagon
was on the tracks. He then felt the
jar of the engine as it came putting
towards him less Inan ten feet away.
He knew it was impossible to clear
the tracks in time to avoid collision
and, standing up, gave the horse al
slash with the lines and was endeav
oring to get out of the wagon when
the crash came. He was unconscious
only a second after the shock and at
tempted to stand up, but fell back
to the ground helpless. A number of
people were soon at his side and at his
request DR.. Rodgers was summoned.
He lay on the ground while friends
bathed his head until the ambulance
arrived.
The engine which struck the wagon
was running light" to Hedrick and
was going at considerable speed.
When the collision occurred Engineer
Anderson reversed the engine, but 1t
slid on hundred feet or more before
stopping. He then ran back to the
depot and returned with Agent viii
McCarty, Trainmaster r. f. McCarty
and the Iowa Central physician, DIR.
Barringer. The injuries were cared
for at the scene of the accident as
carefully as possible but the lad was
hurried to his home in the ambulance,
where he was given every attention.
When the engine hit the wagon, it
cut it in two just behind the front
wheels, and the horse broke loose with
the shafts and front wheels and start
ed OFF on a run. AS it turned the cor
ner the shafts caught on a tree and
he pulled loose from them and ran at
terrible speed southwest. He was
caught near Beacon, still running,
with only collar on.
Mrs. Ed Gross, who lives at Ills
the tracks, was the first to see Tie
accident from nearby. She was sI,-
ting in the front doorway of her home
and all three doors in the house were
open. She looked out of the door Just
as the collision occurred and saw the
driver as he was hurled out of the
wagon. Mrs. H. S. Farmhouse, who
resides just across the street, was in
the Groce home and the two ladies ran
to the young mans assistance with
some water.
Night Officer Silas Bennett, of the
city police force, was another witness.
His home is near the scene of the ac.
cident He was just getting up and
happened to witness the affair from
an upstairs window from which he was
looking. He thought the injured lad
was his own son and lost no time in
getting to the crossing, only short