The Oskaloosa herald., 1908-11-26
ROLLED UNDER ENGINE
Ransom Hudgins has q Remark
able Experience.

Ransom Hudgins, an old colored
man well known about town. had "a
remarkable escape from death about
six o'clock Friday evening. He was
knocked down by an engine on the
Iowa Central which passed over his
PROSTATE body and left him lying IN
conscious between the rails. Not
bone is broken and with the excep-
ton of some extensive skin abrasions
the man is unhurt The rarest Of
good fortune seemed to favor old Hud-
gins. AS ne was being rolled along
under the engine none of his limbs
we're thrown across the rails and he
thus escaped mutilation
The old man was enroute to supper
at his boarding place, the Richard
Jones home, No FOL Z avenue west.
He turned onto the Central right-of-
way from High avenue, his easiest
route home, shortly after six o'clock
He had walked about one block when
the engine caught him, the accident
happening east of the Maggie Flem-
ming boarding house. No. 701 A ave-
nue. west.
Engine No. IS with George McCaff,
engineer, and George Evans, fire.
man, was backing to the round house.
Hudgins was walking in the middle
of the main line. He did not hear the
approach of the engine and 1t was
upon him without warning. He was
knocked down and fell with his head
to the north. Break beams caught
him and he was rolled along under the
fire box and other low parts OF the
engine. The clothing was partially
torn from the body, which was left
limp and unconscious by the side of
the rail as the engine passed from
above it. "I,'" o. INC ,s-s& sc
The accident was witnessed and
several persons were Immediately
on the spot. The old man seemed
dead, as every one believed. The
mayors office was called and the cor
oner summoned by phone. officers
Walls, Henley and Scott walked hur-
riedly from the police quarters to the
place, half mile distant, where the
body was lying. They approached
IShV bouy WHCh luC Ildh IcSdiuCu
consciousness and insisted that he
couldn't remain where he was, that it
was too cold. He asked for help to
get to his feet and to the astonishment
of every one standing about MIN he
started to walk away. With the as
sistance of the police officers he man
Jagged TO get to the Richard Jones
home. He was a sorry looking sight
and seemed more dead than alive. His
clothing was about half gone and he
was covered with blood He had ugly,
gaping wounds on face and head. The
Iskii was scraped' from his back and
This head and hands, and he was In a
sorry plight
McCurdys ambulance had been call
ed to care for the body, but was dis
missed and old Hudgins was turned
over to DR.. Rarringer, who had come
to the place with the intention Of
viewing a dead body. The Doctor or
dered the city ambulance and hudgins
was taken 10 the Oskaloosa Hospital
by direction of company officials,
where he could be better cared for A
careful examination failed to reveal
single broken bone. Not even a rib
was cracked. The body had been
badly squeezed and Hudgins complain
ed of inside hurts, but nothing of a
iserious character was developed. The
hurts were dressed and the old man
made as easy as the circumstances
would permit. He passed fairly
comfortable night and is much better
this morning with the exception or the
pains in the side The patient will
be all right within a few days and
will be permitted TO go about his daily
occupation. 3d. ....s4