Semi-weekly herald., 1908-12-24
A CLOSE SHAVE.


schools, had distressing accident
Sunday which was too near fatality
to be lightly passed over. Mr.. Leyey
was coming from Cortez on horseback,
to spend Christmas with his mother,
sister and brother-the latter being in
charge of one of the departments OF
the Famous, and the two ladies spend
ing the winter here.
The journey was uneventful until
Mr.. Levey reached the second cross
ing below Hesperus. The train from
Durango was coming, and at hrst
thought, the rider deemed 1t best to
wait, and drew up beside the track.
As the engine approached, the horse
became SO frightened, as to be un-
comfortable, and thinking he perhaps
could make It. Mr. Levey urged MIN
across the track. The engine struck
the horse. throwing him out to the
right, and hurling his rider to the
left, SO that he fell on his back on
the rail, about five feet from the en-
gine, which was coming at good rate.
A persons sensations at such a mo-
ment may better be imagined than
described. Making an almost super
human effort Mr.. Levey, who was bad
ly frightened. rolled over the rail be-
side the track just as the engine pass
ed He took the horse into Hesperusi
and had its injuries and his own at
tended to, and came to Durango on
the train that evening.
When DIR. A. ]. OLeary OF Hesperus
looked Mr.. Levey over, he found mis-
hand and wrist were fractured and MS
right shoulder dislocated. The gentle
man saws that he hopes never to have
similar experience. The feeling II
one that cannot be described.
The horse was badly bruised ant
battered up. but no bones broken
Mr.. Levey had him brought to Du
range, where he is now being taker
care of at Wood & Morgan's.
The trainmen said they did not ever
see horse or rider.
The trains were all rather late II
leaving Durango this morning, the
Southern being the last. leaving a
1O:O7 1t was quite lively around th'
depot today. especially when the pas
senger arrived from Silverton, ant
when 1t was about to pull out for thu
east. There was a steady stream o
people flowing into the cars, with tht
usual frantic persons who had forgot
ten something, rushing back to checl
trunk, or get chair car ticket OF
pick up a package. or something D.
way of variety. Then there was th'
fellow who never looks where he i!
going, and bumps into you on one side
and hits somebody else in the eye
with a three-cornered package abou
four feet long which projects from
his pocket on the other side. We don
know how 1t happened, but there were
not any women with six feet OF hal
pin projecting from their hats OF
either side, to jab the unsnspectine
and unwary passer-by. There were
not even so very many big hats-mos'
of them were middle-sized, and conse
quently much more convenient TOT eV
erybody on crowded train. AnotheI
thing we missed was the ubiquitous
dog. You know him-the one who Is
left with the neighbors, or tied up al
home until the family gets away safe
ly, but somehow escapes and shows
up at the depot soon enough to en-
barrass the family and get in every
body else's way. There was enough
baggage today to fill three cars. and
of course, the truck with trunks, mall
and express added their quota TO the
general hubbub. What with the en-
gines switching. the bells ringing, and
the people gabbling. things were 80
much livelier than common, that a
few of Durango's citizens who are ac-
customed to pursue the even tenor OF
their way under less exciting circum-
stances, got lost. One fellow SAID
Say. where are we anyhow? Amt
this the union depot at chicago!
How'd we get here? wanted to go
to Denver!" On being assured this
was Durango, he said he'd never seep
any Durango like this! Another man
asked anxiously II he looked as II he
were asleep. adding that Il must be
dreaming. for Durango don't look nat
ural to me-" The eastern finally pulled
out with three baggage cars and three
coaches, and all filled to their utmost
capacity.