Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1902 — STRUCK BY THE FAST MAIL. [ARTICLE]

STRUCK BY THE FAST MAIL.

Joe Devereaux Has a Wonderful Escape From Instant Death. Joe Devereaux is laying at the Brown hotel, near the depot, with a badly broken leg and numerous bruißes, received laßt Sunday morning about four o’clock. Joe has a weakness for strong drink and when he oame to town last Saturday from his home in the vioinity of Kniman he proceeded to get intoxioated, as was his usual habit. He left town at a late hour in the night and it is supposed that he was so intoxicated that he relied on his horse to find the way home. Instead of starting toward Kniman, however, the horse went in the direction of Surrey, near where Devereaux formerly lived. At a crossing about a mile south of Surrey the horse started to follow the railroad traok north and was either approaching or standing at the oattle guard when the fast mail oame in sight and struck the horse and outfit with terrific force. The horse was thrown and dragged about 1000 feet and was literally ground to pieces, as was the buggy. Devereaux was thrown across the road and a fenoe a distance of 150 feet, and escaped with a badly broken leg, which struck a post in his flight. He was picked up by the train men and brought to town, where he is under the care of a physician. The bones of the left leg below the knee are broken into splinters and if it is saved it will be by skillful work of the surgeons and it is not at all certain that Joe will survive his injuries. He was also badly bruised. A bottle of whiskey which was in his pocket escaped the universal wreckage. Joe says that owing to the heavy fog he did not see the train until it was almost upon him. He saw the glare of the headlight as the train struck him and then came unconsciousness.