The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-12-10

NeW beuiOfd is1hss.l sun, VINO
was aboard the third section of
the Twentieth Century limited
when II crashed into the first Sec
ton at Forsythe crossing, and
who was one Of the first persons
to the scene aiding i'm rescue
work. obtained interviews with
Engineer Charles Patterson and
other members OF the crew OF
section three. He gives the fol-
lowing account Of the wreck.
Westfield. ~. Y, Dec. 81 was
sleeping in the first car back OF the
engine when the third section OF the
Twentieth Century limited crashed in
to section two this morning, five miles
from Westfieid. at the crossing known
as Forsyth. but lately called Dead
Mans Crossing" owing TO an seci-
dent six weeks ago when six people
were killed at the same crossing. and
large sedan was demolished.
Other occupants OF car 3s5 Of the
| third section and ] were among the
first at the scene ] at once obtained
a personal interview with the engineer
of the third section, Charles Patter-
son. who Is 81 years old and lives in
Buffalo.
Travelling 50 Miles an Hour.
II was. due at westfield at los
Sunday morning. said Patterson.
"but arrived Is minutes late. l left
there at 1 90 o'clock and was proceed
1 - n hour
"one mile from the scene OF the
accident / saw the automatic block
with the yellow caution signal and at
once reduced speed about five or 10
miles But owing to the fog and rain.
did not see the next block until
nearly on II. when at the same time
| saw flare and n brakeman run
ming waving a lantern.
II Immediately set my brakes.
estimated that the train was going
about 20 miles an hour when we
| crashed into the observation car OF
section two.
yelled to my firemtn that we
were going to hit section two. but we
stuck to our posts.
The impact OF the onrushing train
cut tho observation car in two, throw
Ing one half TO the left, and the en-
CINE plowed into the next coach.
completely telescoping 1t into the
next sleeping car. the Farnum, kill
ing and mangling the sleepers.
| Accompanied by others. hastily
climbed into The mass Of tangled
steel and wood and brought out two
dead, one "A woman who was identi.
/ fled "a Mrs. Carl u. kinoie. Five
men were brought out. one with q
broken leg. and others badly smashed
and unconscious
Many Buried In Wrecksge.
Others 1t was impossible To extri-
cate as they were literally wedged
beneath tons OF steel and debris.
Blankets We're soaked in oil and ig-
nited and shadowy forms clamhered
over the wreckaEe. trying 10 help the
dying and injured.
Amongst the NreckaEe OF the OBJ
servation car | saw lex protrnding
which proved TO be that Of a porter
OF the observation car lie was dead
and hopelesxly buried under tons Of
steel
Brakeman +. c. Alderman told me
the following story:
Il was on section two when we
were tagged because section one had
stopped after hitting sedan contain.
ing three mon. who jumped and were
uninjurcd
II grabbed three fuzces and my
lantern and ran back at least the
length of the train where | lighted
one fuzee. I then ran toward the
fast approaching section three.
1t rushed past me going faster
than 20 miles nm hour. 4 momsnt
later thore was terrific crash as
section plowed into the standing
section two"
"Pasainr autcmohillsts hastily
phoued te nearhe towns and within a
half hour pr Z. : Parsons and nr.
J. l.. Heard both flom Ripley. als'