Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1915-07-30
MEN KILLED IN
TERRIFIC STORM
Well Known Hachita Citizens
Killed While Walking S. p.
Tracks Near Separ

A tragedy that will never be for
gotten by the people of Lordsburg
resulted from the most terrific rain
storm ever known in southern
Grant County Sunday afternoon,
when Robert M. McMahan and
Tom Bennett, we'll known citizens
of Hachita, were killed by a west
bound Southern Pacific freight
train few miles east of Separ.
Mr.. McMahan and MIR. Bennett
were coming to Lordsburg by auto
mobile over the Borderland route
from Deming when the heavy rain
began. About three miles east Of
Separ their car became begged in
the mud. It was practically impos-
sible to walk in the road so the two
men started on foot to get aid at
Separ, walking on the Southern
Pacific tracks. They had not gone
far when what is believed to be a
cloudburst took place, binding the
men so that they could see but
few feet in front of them. During
the storm they were struck by a
west bound freight train. Mr.. Nc
Mahan was instantly killed. Mr..
Benefits left leg was severed from
his body and practically every
large bone in his body broken. He
died at 10 o'clock Sunday evening
while on the operating table at Dr.
DeMoss' hospital.
The engineer and fireman of the
train state that it was impossible
to see the track ahead of them dur
ing the storm and that the steam
from the engine settled like a
heavy fog around the cab. The
conductor of the train was on the
rear platform of the caboose
watching the condition of the track
and saw the men roll down the en-
banlment, McMahan on the north
side and Bennett on the south side
of the track. Owing to the storm
the signal to stop could not be
given and the train went on in to
Separ, where it stopped for water
and backed down to where the bod
les of the men lay. Mr. Bennett
was taken into the caboose and
rushed to Lordsburg, where every
effort was used to save his life. He
was conscious and told how the ac-
cident occurred. While under the
anesthetic he died. A track walk
er was left with Mr.. McMahan's
body, which was brought to Lords
on No. 8 after being seen by a cor
oner's jury. Those empaneled on
the jury were Messrs. Perry, Lock-
lear, Stevens, Aler and Ownby.
The verdict was that "the deceased
men came to their death July 25
by being struck by engine 2725
about 2 miles east of Separ, during
. heavy rain and wind storm, while
walking on the track to Separ."
The jury went to the scene of The
accident on an east bound feight
train.
The body of Mr.. Bennett was
shipped to San Antonio, Texas, for
burial, Mr.. Bennett having a sister
and other relatives in that city. Mr..
McMahan's body was sent to Ha-
chita for burial Monday afternoon.
He is survived by a daughter and
two grown sons.
Both men were we'll known in
Lordsburg and all of southern
Grant county, where they had
lived for many years. Mr.. Bennett
had been most successfully en-
gagged in cattle raising near Ha-
chita, and was one of that city's
most progressive citizens. Mr.. Nc.
Mahan had been engaged in the
liquor business for many years, but
recently disposed of his busines!
and invested in cattle, together
! with Mr.. Bennett. He was once ;
resident of Lordsburg, being em
ployed by ]. S. Brown. At the TIM
of their death Mr.. McMahan wa
e about 65 years of age and Mr.. Ben
4 nett about As years of age.
= The many friends of both fami
}. lies extend deepest sympathy t,
them in their sad bereavement.