ACCIDENT ON MILWAUKEE BRIDGE
Ben Hodges Hit by a Freight Sunday Evening.

Sunday evening about six o'clock an accident occurred at the Milwaukee bridge just west of the yards here which came near being fatal to Ben Hodges, an employee of the Smith & Wesley grading outfit.

Mr. Hodges and two companions had been in town and were returning to the camp, which is just beyond the bridge They started across the trestle and had accomplished a part of the trip when a heavy, double-header freight from the east thundered down the hill and, around the curve almost upon them before they were aware of its coming. The engineer sounded a warning and the men made an effort to escape; two of them did, one by laying down in the narrow space outside the rail and the other by jumping. The second man attempted to assist Hodges to safety and would have succeeded, but for the unfortunate circumstance of Hodges getting his foot caught. He was hit by the engine while on the south side of the bridge and thrown forward and to the north, sustaining severe internal injuries and on the left side near the thigh and an ankle sprained. The train was stopped as soon as possible and the injured man carried to the camp. Dr. Resner was called and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful for a long time. He finally regained consciousness and had careful attention. Monday his condition was considered favorable but it was thought best to send him to a hospital. His fellow workmen and, several town people contributed to a purse to defray expenses and Tuesday he was taken to the St. Bernard hospital at, Council Bluffs. The man's injuries were severe and thought at first to be fatal what the outcome will be may not be known for a few, days yet, though all indications were favorable up to the time he was taken to the hospital.

The bridge where Mr. Hodges was hurt is a long one and affords no chance for a person to save himself should he be caught by a train upon it, except as did one of the men Sunday, by laying down along the out edge of the ties, a nerve trying position, or by jumping some forty feet to the ground. The location of the bridge makes it impossible for an engineer to see people upon it any great distance away, adding to the danger. It being private property and in no sense a thoroughfare it seems as if the best way to avoid the danger is to keep off. The company could provide safeguards against such accidents at small expense, but we presume they hold it your duty to go around by the wagon road should your business or inclination take you in that direction.

We sincerely hope Mr. Hodges will recover and also that this lesson will not be lost to us. Only by avoiding the dangerous can we be sure of freedom from accident where the charge of contributory negligence will not be sustained.