Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1921-12-12
MIRACLE SAVES DRIVER
AFTER FAST TRAIN
HITS MOTOR
HURLS AUTO 100 Fl.
STUTz CAR, WRECKED BY 1897
ROCK ISLAND TRAIN AT CAREY
ossiNG-FRoNT OF ENGINE
CRUSHED IN BY COLLISION.

Rex Johnson, %, whose home is at
Butler, Mo-, and who has been In OF
tawa for the past number of days in
the interests Of the Continental In
surance company of New York City,
miraculously escaped death Saturday
afternoon when a Rock Island pas
senger train due in this city at 3;37
from Chicago, struck his Stutz auto
mobile at Carey crossing, just beyond
the white bridge, about one mile east
OF this city. At the time Of the ac-
cident Johnson was en- route to this
city from Marseilles, where he had
transacted some business.
The fact that Johnson escaped with
only fractured left limb Is consid
cred nothing short of a miracle. His
machine was struck squarely by the
train, which at that point was trav-
cling at very high rate of speed,
just before it entered the city of OF
tawa, and was thrown for distance
Of over 100 feet. landing in a ditch
on the right side of the tracks.
The victim, although he took eau
tion of the crossing, did not have
time to get out of the machine before
the train struck ii as he thought the
tracks were clear. In talking to
city officials yesterday, Mr.. Johnson
told OF the accident He stated that
he was coming to this city from Mar
seilIes, where he had been during the
day AS he neared the crossing he
stopped. but did not hear or notice a
train coming. Just as he stopped his
machine another automobile approch-
ed from the rear of him. passed his
car and succeeded in crossing the
tracks. Thinking that the driver of
that automobile had also stopped to
look for ain approaching train he
started his machine. He had just
driven onto the westbound tracks
when the passenger train struck his
car.
Edward DeForrest and Jake Stew
art, employed by the United Tele-
phone company of this city, were the
only eyewitnesseS of the accident
They were repairing telephone wires
alongside the road and noticed john
ston approaching the tracks at the
some time the train was about to
pass. When the train struck the ma
chine they rushed to his aid.
Johnston was found still in the
drivers seat Of the car In a very
painful condition. He was taken out
of the wreckage Mr. DeForest and
Mr.. Stewart removed the injured
man to the home of Thomas Mooney.
nearby. The city police ambulance
was quickly summoned by them and
Johnston was taken to the city hos
pitaI, where DR.. A. J. Roberts and
DR.. J. II. Edgcomb attended him.
At first 1t was thought that he was
very badly injured, but after exam
nations had been made the fact was
disclosed that he only suffered Sc
verelv fractured left limb. besides a
number of minor cuts and bruises
from flying windshield glass.
According to city hospital officials
he will be patient there for num-
ber of DAYS before he will be allow
ed to leave the institution, Follow
ing the accident, Johnston's parents
MIR. and Mrs. r. p Johnston, OF But
Ter. Mo. were notified of the mishap
and left Immediately for this city
They arrived in ottawa this morning
and will remain here for several days
before they return home
The train was not able to leave Ut
tawa until more than three hours
following the. accident The eccen
trio, part of the engine, was smash
ed The train having no power was
unable to be moved either way. =
switch engine from the local yards
had to be sent to the scene of the ac
cident, to tow the train Of cars to tht
station. From there wire was sen
TO Rock Island for new engine.