Head-On Collision Near Van Asselt

The Northern Pacific train which left Seattle at 6:10 o'clock last evening and the one due here at 6:35 o'clock came into collision at Van Asselt station. Both engines and the front car of each train were badly damaged, but no persons were seriously injured. According to those who came in on the northbound train, the southbound train should have run into the sidetrack at Van Asselt in order to let the northbound pass, but instead of doing so, ran onward on the main track. Engineer Daniel Doyle and Conductor W. H. Miner, of the northbound, saw the approaching train in time and had almost stopped when the collision occurred. The two engines came together head-on and were badly smashed. Doyle jumped to save his life and strained his right leg. The mail car on the northbound and baggage car on the southbound had the ends knocked in and the trucks knocked from under them. Both trains were fairly well loaded, and the passengers were thrown from their seats. Thomas Wisdom, the porter on the Pullman car, was thrown to the floor and wrenched his back. W. L. Molick, the mail agent, said: 'There was no excuse for the collision. Van Asselt is a regular meeting point and the northbound train had the right of way. Both trains were on time and had almost straight track, so that they could see one another ahead.'