The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-01
REBELS WRECK
 MEXICAN TRAIN Dr. Olssen-Seffer Is KilIet'
 in Battle AN EXPERT BOTANIST
Rebels Stop Train and Then Compel Passengers To Remain Aboard Until Freight Collides With
 Wrecked Passenger

Mexico City. April 30.-The weekend special for Cutrnavaca, 75 miles south of this city, was shot up and wrecked by rebels last night at Fl Parue, a few miles from its destination. Three pas- sengers and a negro porter were killed. and several others injured. The en- gineer is missing.
 Among those Killed was Dr. Pehr Ois. sen-Seffer, botanist of repute, who for merly was attached to the Mexican gov ernment as an expert in rubber cull ture.
 A brother of Dr. Olssen-Seffer Is at Mad ison. Wis, attending the state univer- sity. The rebels tactics were similar to those employed a few days ago when they held up a train at Cajons. 50 miles fur ther south on the same line and wiped out a detachment of federal troops The enginemen were given a signal to stop, but crowded on steam instead, fearing an attack was intended. As the train rushed past the point where the rebels were stationed a volley was fired through the windows of the chair car. Once out of range of the firing, the train slowed down, but not in time to avoid being
 
 of the track by the rebels. The engine was overturned and it was believed that the engineer was buried beneath it. Traffic over the Cuernavaca line is suspended.
 Running down to the right of way the rebels ordered all passengers not to leave the scene of the wreck until after the enactment of the second act of the tragedy. Crowded back as far as possf- l T. tI,1 .I<-.- children waited while the rebels chatted. l Tn a short time the reason for the de- lay was apparent. There came in sight on the heavy grade a freight train Had anyone of the passengers been permitted to leave, a warning might have been given to the crew.
 Too late the engineer of the freight saw the wrecked train.
 The brakes were applied but the grade was too steep and the heavy train crashed into the derailed passenger coaches. The fireman was killed and the engineer and a coal passer were badly scalded by the escaping steam
 The action Of the rebels is accounted for by the refusal of the government to head their warning not to move troops over the road.
 Troops were moved recently and since then one car load of soldiers was shot to pieces.
 It is supposed the rebels expected to find troops on the train fired upon last night.
 Recently the government began to send troops over the main line of the National between this city and Laredo and in pur- suance of their threat the rebels have repeatedly interrupted traffic on that line. The latest instance was last night when IA bridges were destroyed north of San l fired upon, although they have been searched humber of times. It Is not to be expected that any inter- national controversy will ensue as the result of the killing of pr. Olssen- -Seffer. for it is doubtful If he could have es- tablshed his rights to citizenship in any country.
 His parents, who yet are living in Oak land Cal, are Swedes. He was born in Finland, but when yet a boy went to Australia, where he lived for many years. From Australia he went to California, where he became an instructor fin botany in the University of California. There he was married to an American girl and some years ago he came to Mexico. To his friends the doctor frequently said that he was one of those men without . country. At the time of his death he was vice consul here for Portugal
 A IeW weeks aso he was choseH LOT tno chair of botany in the newly-created Mexican university.
 As a tropical agriculturist Dr. Olssen- Seffer was regarded as one of the most expert. To study the rubber industry he was sent on a tour through the tropical world by the government and since his return he has been closely identified with the government in its ef- forts to develop not only the rubber in- dustry but all forms of tropical agricul- ture.