Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 January 1907 — THIRTY DIE IN WRECK. [ARTICLE]

THIRTY DIE IN WRECK.

Reek Inland Train* Collide In Kansas with Terrible Slaughter. Thirty lives at least were sacrificed In a collision early Wednesday due, it is said, to the otTor of*a railway telegrapher at the small station of Volland, Kan. The man saw his terrible mistake a moment too late, telegraphed the tfain dispatcher that the wreokvrait sure to occur and then disappeared. Meanwhile passenger) train No. 20, south bound from Chicago-to El Paso and California on the 1 Rock Island road, crashed into No. 30, hound for Chicago, five miles west of Alta Vista, and the victims of the. crash, the majority of them, Mexicans, wore cremated in the burning coaches. Most of thy killed and injured were on the south-bound train. Tlte ear* went into the ditch and several of them caught fire. Many of the bodies of victims were consumed by the flames.

Most of the killed Mexican laborers were in thq smoking car on No. 20. The baggage ear telescoped the. smoker and crashed down through the roof of the latter, crushing the occupants, the majority of whom were -curled up In the seats asleep. The cars caiurlitMire and five of the coaches in No. 21) were consumed by the flames. Blame for tlit* collision seems to rest upon John Lynes, telegraph operator at Volland, who disappeared. Orders had been issued for No. 21) and No. 30 to pass at Volland. :m<l orders had been Bent to the otswatur tiiere, who was instructed to hold No. 20. ,lt Is Stated that he failed to deliver tlte order to the crew of No. 20, and the latter train went by, meeting No. 30 a few miles west. Lynes tied Indore the wreck occurred after forecasting the impending collision. ■; ' , Both .trains were heavy, having ten cars-each,, including Pullman sleepers, chair cars and coaches, smokers and baggage cars. Relief trains were rushed to the scene from every available point. ... - „ : ' ■