East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-10-30

ilng signify injured when an auto
taking them to Walla waIla skidded
and crashed into freight train No. 81
on the grade crossing at Sake, five
miles northeast of town. at 2:35 We'd
81 day afternoon.
Death carle almost instantly to the
", vcti.I.. accord ng to persons on
.e .c' ne o. the accident. Both Mr..
Esb'HsnH AID Dr. Hoisington died of
r't"tuiad a':ulls, it is believed, their
bodies having been thrown against
large boulders in the ditch beside the
road.
First of Party.
The auto owned and driven by Mr..
Sailing. former county clerk, was lead
ing an encourage of four cars carry
ing Knights Templar to Walla Walla.
Partially hidden from view of the ap-
preaching freight by poplar trees on
the right of the road, Mr.. Sailing did
not sense danger until too late.
There's a train coming, look
out!' both Mr.. Robinson and DR..
Hoisington warned simultaneously
Brakes were applied by Mr.. Sailing
with such force that the car 6kidded
for more than 100 feet. As the en-
gine crossed the road. the onrushing
auto struck the tender a glancing
blow. Either steps at the rear of the
tender or the space between the ten
der and the first boxcar caught the
radiator of the auto and threw the car
backwards nearly 20 feet. The ma
chine was stopped in its catapult
through the air by cattle guard,
which it demolished.
Position Saves Driver.
The machine turned on its right
side as it came to rest. Mr.. Robin
son, in rear. was thrown backward,
striking on the boulders below. Dr.
Hoisington, riding in front, was
thrown backward and under the car
Mr.. Sailing was saved by being on the
top side of the upturned car.
The train was brought TO a quick
stop and the crew rushed to the
scene of the accident. Members of
the party in cars following had all
arrived within two minutes and min
istered to the injured men. Both lived
a few minutes before expiring. doc
tor, riding in the caboose, gave first
aid.
While the fatally injured were be-
ing attended, Mr.. Sailing. dazed. cut
about the head and one hip Injured,
walked away from the wreck. The
other victims were placed in an auto
~ pS piOds5 III " lilt liOSBllSAl MI. Sd
ling was found seated in an empty ma
chine, overcome by the shock of the
accident.
Train Crew Not Blamed.
None in the cars following saw the
accident. From the fireman, on
whose side the crash came, they
learned that the machine was checked
in its speedy approach of the crossing
but, because of the wet pavement
could not be stopped. The car was
turned to the right and when struck.
headed in the direction from which (
the train came.
Conductor w. L. Waters, in charge !
of the train, and Engineer J. NJ. Hen I
derson, said that the train was run
ming at a moderate rate of speed. They /
place no blame for the accident upon I
the train, nor do other members of 4
the party. The crew held the train at |
the scene nearly one hour, rendering
whatever assistance possible.
Crossing Dangerous.
The crossing where the accident oc- 7
CURED is considered one of the most
dangerous in the county for autos
outbound, as was the Sailing auto. For
nearly mile the road parallels the
rack approaching the crossing, but
makes an s. curve in crossing. The
800 yard straightaway approaching
the crossing is bordered on the east
side by poplar trees, barn and farm
house. Trains coming from the east
are almost invisible until one is with
n a few yards of the track. Regular /
black and white stationery signs warn +
IF the crossing $50 yards or more from
he track but there is no electric
sounding device there. Trains are re-
luired to blow their crossing whistle
md ring their bell when approaching
he crossing but water nearby has
ieadening effect upon these warnings.
Pioneer Laun1ryman.
John +. Robinson was SO years of
age and was born May 5. 1854, in
iowa. He came to Weston with his
in 1878. Three years later he
anne to Pendleton and opened bar
Der shop. afterwards entering the
business. At the time of his
ieath he was owner of the Domestic
laundry here.
He is survived by his wife and son.
Donald Robinson. aged -, who re-
emily returned from service in the
navy. Mrs. Ida Shattuck of Portland,
5 Mr.. Robinsons sister and will ar
i've tonight.
Mr.. Robinson was identified with
very progressive movement in Pen
lleton and WAS active in all the patri-
,tic drives in the recent war. He
.crvcd as president of the Commercial
association and was one of the most
prominent members of the organiza-
ion,
lie has been "a mCmber of the Ma
,onic lodge for many years and was
past eminent commander. lie was a
In,