The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1908-05-28

Inc south DOulQ passenger tram
which left Roswell on time at ten
o'clock last night, collided head-on
with a north-bound stock train of fif-
teen loads in the draw a quarter
mile north of Cumberland City at
about 1920 last night The collision
resulted from misunderstanding of
train orders and a mis-calculation as
to the distance of the electric head
lights on the two engines. Luckily no
person was seriously hurt and the
minor injuries were few. The princi-
pal damage was done to the two en-
gines, amounting, it is estimated, to
$4,000, and il the loss of time to the
trainload of cattle.
The passenger train, under Conduc
tor Frank Mcdaniel, with Brakeman
Ivey, and pulled by engine No. 0234
with Engineer V. o. McCollum and
Fireman Holder Hewett, left Roswell
with combination baggage and mail
coach, smoker and chair car about
half filled. 1t was running at no
great speed when it entered the draw
proceeding carefully for the reason
that the trainmen could see the cleo
trio headlight of the approaching
freight train, which was thought to
be waiting at Dexter. According to
unofficial reports, the passenger train
had orders to wait for the freight
at South Spring until 1920. After
waiting until that time and seeing
the headlight of the freight, suppos-
proceeded, at a speed estimated at
ten miles an hour.
The freight train was in charge of
Conductor w. A. Campbell, his brake
men being ]. L. Howard and E. C.
Mitchell. Engineer Harry Gardner
was at the throttle of engine No.
342, pulling the train, and G. c. Kirk
land was his fireman. Trailmaster
A. A. briggs was on the freight and
happened to be riding in the engine.
1t was their understanding that they
were to meet the passenger at South
Spring, although it is understood
they were a little late. Their speed
was cut down by having pulled over
the Cumberland hill, and probably did
not exceed 20 miles an hour
The trains were about two or three
hundred yards apart when both
crews realized their danger. Both
engineers reversed their engines and
put on the air brakes and then all
alc
Trainmaster briggs and the two
freight brakemen, who happened to
be riding on the front end. The cool
action of the engineers undoubtedly
prevented a serious catastrophe.
Some OF the passengers declare that
the shock of the reversing of the
engine and application of the brakes
was greater than that of the collision
itself Many were asleep and We've
awakened by the first jar of the
brakes and were ready to catch them
selves when the collision occurred
thus preventing many bumps and
bruises The only passenger who
could be found that was hurt worth
mention was Joe Morton. of Amarillo,
who was on his way to Mexico City.
He was asleep and was thrown ag-
ailst a sharp corner in such a way
as to cut cash that extended across
his mouth to both lips.
The enginemen received the worst
injuries from jumping. But this ac-
tion probably saved their lives. for
the cabs of the engines were mashed
and crushed considerably.
Engineer McCollum was hurt prob
ably worse than anyone else. He sus-
tai7ed bruises about the chest and
collar bone. skinned leg and gen.
eral shaking mp that made him very
sore today. He had to jump through
his cab window. which gave him a
long fall. His seat, It is said was
mashed nat the next instant after he
let Il
nno1nsw oardner's an1le wa1