"DS.
"No. 21 went through Big River bridge to-night; track was soft all
the way over from Truxton; engine, mail, baggage and one coach on
the bridge when it gave way; three Pullmans stayed on the track.
Roberts, engineer; Carter, fireman, and Sampson, conductor, all
missing. Need doctors.
"O'HARA,
"Brakeman."
My God! wasn't it awful! I sent one caller to get out the wrecking crew
and another for a doctor. I then instructed Burke to prepare orders for
the wrecker, pulling everything off and giving her a clean sweep; told
Truxton to keep on his ground wire and stay close; and pulling on my
rain coat, I bounded down the steps and up to the roundhouse to hurry up
the engine. Engine 122, with Ed Stokes at the throttle, was just backing
down as I came out, so I ran back, signed the orders, and as soon as
the doctors arrived, Mr. Antwerp told me to pull out and take charge,
saying he would come out if necessary on a special.
It was scarcely five minutes from the time I received the first message
until we pulled out and started on our wild ride of rescue.
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