Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 February 1912 — Freight Conductor Almost Lost His Life Here Wednesday Eve. [ARTICLE]

Freight Conductor Almost Lost His Life Here Wednesday Eve.

William Mauck, conductor on freight train No. 74, almost lost his life in Rensselaer Wednesday evening. He was switching his train near the stock pens and was standing between two cars on the bumpers. He went to swing around to the step at the bottom of the ladder and one foot caught in some manner and tripped him so violently that he lost his hold and fell almost to the rail beneath the car wheels. Almost miraculously he caught the step with one hand as he was falling and he struggled hard to pull himself up. All the time his shoulders were bumping on the ties and his foot remained fastened in the running board at the end of the car His predicament was seen by a member of the train crew and the train was stopped. He could not have held out much longer, as he was almost exhausted. Had his foot given way or had he released his hold with his hand he would have fallen across the rail and his body have been mangled Dr. Hemphill was called and found that aside from some quite severe bruises Mr. Mauck was not- seriously injured. It was certainly a close call