The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1922-04-20
Engineers of Rock Island Trains No. 311 and No.
3l2 Meet Death When Engines Bump
Both Firemen Injured
ACCIDENT HAPPENED NEAR PLAINS
Several Passengers Injured But No Other Fa-
talities- Misunderstood Orders Proba-
bly, the Cause

The coaches Of neither train were |
damaged to any great extent, and
in such accidents. Neither train left
the track was not torn up as is usual
the track, and as soon as the wreck
er pulled the two trains to the siding,
traffic was resumed.
The accident occurred something
like two and a half miles west of
Plains on perfectly straight, level
stretch of track.
The direct cause of the accident
has not been determined, but it is
likely that a misunderstanding of
the orders was responsible.
1t seems hard for people to un-
derstand why the engineers of the
two trains could not have seen each
other in time to have averted the
catastrophe. According to train men
it is impossible to determine the dis
tance by the headlight when the track
is level and straight. The light seems
to stand still and the rumble of the
engine makes it impossible to hear
the noise of the other engine. With
the straight, track ahead each engi-
neer no doubt thought the other train
was waiting on the siding and had no
thought of danger until the engines
were SO close that to stop was i'm
possible. With each train making
around thirty-five miles per hour, the
distance between the trains is les
sened at the rate OF 70 miles per
hour, or better than a mile every
minute and it is thus possible to real
ize that to stop train under full
head of steam in moments time
is out Of the question.
Both the men who lost their lives
lived at Pratt, and we're married men
The bodies were brought to Liberal
where the Liberal Undertaking COM
pany prepared them for burial.
The news of the accident was
phoned to Plains and citizens and
physicians hurried to the scene. The
passengers were taken to Plains,
where they were cared for until No:
could bring them on to Liberal.
News was also dispatched to Liberal
and the wrecker was sent out to
clear up the wreck.
The news spread rapidly and hun
dreds went to the scene of the wreck.
From Liberal, Kismet, Plains and
Meade great crowds went, among
them many newspaper reporters gath
ering the facts for their papers.
1t was a sad day for the railroad
men. for these men realize the uncer-
taintv of life in their calling. The
fact that two Of their brother work
men had lost their lives depressed
them and they regretted to talk OF
the tragedy. AS the bodies OF the
two engineers were takken from the
wreckage, these men who brave the
dangers of such calamities to earn
their daily bread, felt personal loss,
and more than one was heard to re-
mark that if it were possible he would
never railroad, another day.
The sacrifice of Engineers Frlck
and Weidmann is but another in
stance of the lengths an engineer Will
90 to protect the lives OF those on
his train. No doubt both could have
followed their fireman and jumped
to safety, but the firemen had no
duty except to keep up steam, while
theirs was the hand that worked the
air brakes and they must stay at
their post and do their utmost in the
face of sudden death in an effort to
protect those for whom they are re-
sponsible.