Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 January 1903 — SAVES TRAIN BUT IS INJURED. [ARTICLE]

SAVES TRAIN BUT IS INJURED.

Narrow Escape From a Rear End Collision at Fair Oaks. The Monon had a narrow escape from a bad rear end oollision at Fair Oaks Tuesday morning. The morning north bound train was running in two sections, when at Fair Oaks the rear end of the first section loomed into view of the engineer of the second seotion. “It probably wjll be death either way, so we’ll take a ohanee and jump,” said Engineer Russ to Fireman Charles Dusch. It was dark and there was a snow storm. Russ threw on the air brakes, reversed his engine, and leaped oft. The fireman jumped from the other side and escaped injury. The engineer struck on his neok and was badly injured. He was taken to the Hammond hospital and it is hoped his life may be saved. A collision was happily averted. But two feet separated the two sections of the train when the last seoton stopped with a jolt that threw the passengers from their seats. The section was pulled by engine 111, newly repaired from the wreck at Hammond last summer. Engineer Frank Kline, who operated the locomotive then, was a passenger on the second section. He took the place of Engineer Russ and took the train on in to Chicago.