Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-03
DIED TO SAVE TOWN
Enuineer Ran Off With Burn
ing Cars of Dynamite.
MEETS DEATH HE COURTED
Blown to Atoms When Explosion
Occurs Beyond Danger Zone.
THOUSANDS OF LIVES SAVED
American Cross Of Honor Society
Honors Hero-Gratefu1 Citizens
to Erect Monument.

Jesus Garcia. a Mexican locomotive en-
eineer. met his death in a most horrible
manner that he might save the lives OF
MANY others and prevent the destruction
of 4 town.
With the certainty that he must forfeit
his own life, Garcia quickly coupled his
locomotive to two cars loaded with dyna-
mite while the cars were burning fiercely
and ran them rapidly to tire suburbs
when the flames reached the dynamite.
= terrific explosion followed. The brave
engineer was blown into atoms.
This in brief is the story Of the unpar-
alleled heroism of man who died by his
own choice that others might live.
The American Society of the Cross of
Honor was quick to act when 1t learned
through newspaper dispatches Of Jesus
Garcias sacrifice. At the first meeting
of the board of governors of the society
in this city, held after the tragic occur
renee. resolutions were adopted commend
ing the conduct of the Mexican engineer.
President Thomas II. Herndon of the
American Society Of the Cross of Honor
sent the resolutions to the Mexican am
bassador. That official had the reported
act of Garcia investigated and found it
was true as reported by the press.
Senior Godoy's Letter.
Mr.. Herndon has received from Jose
F.. Godoy charge de affaires of Mexico,
dated at the embassy In this city, the
following communication:
with reference to the correspondence
had with you relative to the resolution
adopted by the American Cross Of
Honor regarding the brave deed of Jesus
Garcia, l beg to inform you that l am
directed by my government to tender you
it's thanks for said resolution and for
the terms in which it is expressed.
Likewise. / am directed to inform you
that a subscription has been opened at
Nacozari, in order to collect funds for
the erection. at the principal square OF
said town, OF a monument commemorate
ing the heroic sacrifice of Jesus Garcia;
that the local authorities have cooper
ated to that end, and that the federal
government will do likewise
From the company by which Jesus Gar
cia was employed--the MonteZuIna Copper
Company of Nacozari. Mexico-came the
particulars Of the locomotive engineers
sacrifice.
The two cars loaded with dynamite were
near the smelter Of the company in the
thick of the town. The cars caught fire
in some manner and tho flames were al
most licking the explosive when Garcia
backed his locomotive up to the burning
cars and coupled his engine to them.
He realized that the explosion there
the destruction of the town. Grasping
the throttle. he threw it wide open and.
with the blazing cars attched, made
streak for the open country.
The train of dynamite had but reached
the little section house in the suburbs
when came the terrific explosion. The
section house and the cars were reduced
to splinters. while the body Of Garcia
was blown to pieces, only the smallest
fragments being found afterward.
Twelve Mexican section hands and an
American boy were also blown to atoms.
But the town and many precious lives had
been saved by the Jim Bludsoe' of the
Mexican mines.
Town to Erect Monument.
The superintendent of the mining COM
pany, in letter to Mr.. Herndon, said:
Jesus Garcia was an employee of this
company. All the citizens of this place
Uncomfortable fully the value to
them Of his act, and believe that il he
had not been hero many lives would
have been lost.
together a fund for the erection of
monument to be placed in the plaza of
the town, and which we hope to have
ready for unwilling on May next"
The writer expresses the hope that the
mother of Jesus Garcia may receive a
copy of the resolutions adopted by the
American Society of the Cross of Honor
1t has been suggested that any citizens
of Washington who may care to con-
the man who died for others may send
the amounts to Thomas II. Herndon.
president of the society. c92S 18th street
northwest.