Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1908-06-05
Rio Grande Train
Derailed on High
Trestle
BRIDGE: PARTIALLY burned
Coaches Kept From Plung-
ing Into Canon Below
by Miracle.

the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad,
was wrecked yesterday afternoon
about eight miles north of Embudo,
and by the merest chance the twelve
passengers and entire train crew were
saved from horrible death by being
dashed to the jagged rocks at the bot.
tom Of a deep canyon spanned by
high trestle upon which the train was
derailed.
Passengers arriving in Santa Fe
last evening told Of the hair
breadth escape and shuddered when
reciting their experiences. The acct
dent happened about 2:3O o'clock in
the afternoon. A part of the trestle
had been destroyed by fire, presumab.
ly set by an engine on north bound
train. The engine, box cars and bag.
gage car had passed over the burned
portion when the accident happened.
Both passenger coaches left the rails
and all but tipped over. It seems that
but one side of the bridge was dam
aSoQ ny Ine uTe.
Passengers Tell Of Wreck.
Miss Anna c. Newburgh, a well
known newspaper woman of southern
Colorado, who, until short time ago,
was editor Of the La lara Chronicle,
at La lara, Colorado, was passenger
on the train. In speaking Of the wreck
she said:
I'VE were about eight miles north
of Embudo when slckening totterlng
OF our coach caused panic among
the passengers. We were over deep
! canyon spanned by a trestle and In
stantly every one thought Of the dan.
ger Of being dashed to the rocks be
low. The engineer brought the train
to a stop very suddenly. The two pass
enger coaches were leaning over one
side Of the trestle dangerously near
to being overbalanced. The track was
torn up for several rods and the trucks
under the coaches were torn loose and
twisted In with brake beams and sus
pension rods.
Miraculous Escape From Death.
Conductor Smith, who was in
charge of the train, asked all the pass.
engers to step into the baggage car
and In this way we rode to Embudo
where proper accommodations we're
secured and we reached Santa Fe
none the worse for our experience.
But I do not care to go through anoth'
er similar experience. It is wonder
that all on the train were not killed.
talked to the trainmen and they mar
vel at the escape. Had the engine gone
through the bridge the entire train
would have piled up at the bottom Of
the canyon and few, If any would have
escaped with their lives"
The train was In charge of Conduct
or w. s. Smith whose prompt action
In having the passengers transferred
to the baggage car and brought on Is
deserving Of commentator. A wreck
ing train was dispatched to the scene
Of the accident and 1t is probable that
the burned bridge will be repaired
this afternoon.
Accident Caused But Slight Delay
On this train were several Shriners,
who were on their way to Raton to be
present at the initiation of several
persons there tonight. A lodge is to be
Instituted and an excellent time Is
being anticipated. Among them was
DR.. T. P. Martin. Of Taos, who is well
and favorably known in Santa Fe
These Shrlners proposed to Conductor
Smith to plan some way to get them
to Santa Fe in order to make connec-
ton with the passenger train on the
branch of the Atchison, Topeka and
Santa Fe so that they could reach Ra'
ton In time for the ceremonies tonight.
Tho connection was made easily.