A Dispatcher's 'Lap Order' Sent Two Freight Trains Head-On Near Orting

TACOMA, Aug. 10.—[Special.]—Engineer Louis U. Harmon was instantly killed by a head-end freight train collision this afternoon half a mile east of McVidian, on the Northern Pacific railroad. Fireman Edward F. Martin was probably fatally injured, and was thought to be breathing his last when General Assistant Superintendent Dickinson left the scene of the wreck about 4 o'clock. His head was badly crushed. Harmon was a widower, and leaves three boys, the oldest of whom is aged 17 years. Martin is a young man, and is unmarried. He was formerly a car repairer for the Northern Pacific here, and is one of the new firemen taken on since the strike. J. O. Conk was conductor of the train of which Harmon was engineer, and H. H. Thompson was conductor of the west-bound coal train of eighty-five coal dumps. Pebbles being the engineer in charge.

The accident was the result of what is known among railroad men as a lap order. A lap order would result if the coal train were ordered from Crocker to Tacoma, and the shingle train from Tacoma to South Prairie, both moving at the same time over a single track. This is probably what occurred today. There was no meeting point for the trains, and they came together as stated on a curve, and some trees cheated the engine crews out of a fair chance to jump safely. The west-bound engine crew, however, jumped quickly and were not seriously injured. Martin was injured while jumping.

Coroner Hoska was summoned at once from this city and Dr. Allen left tonight to attend the injured. Railroad men express the deepest sympathy for Frederick S. Rawlins, the Northern Pacific train dispatcher, who is responsible for the accident. He is an old and tried employee of the company, and has been railroading for fifteen years. A lap order occurs now and then, however, among the best and safest dispatchers. A little slip in the cogs of memory will permit it, and poor Rawlins's slip occurred today. Though he will probably be dismissed he is likely to escape criminal prosecution.

The mistake of the dispatcher was discovered several minutes before the wreck. There is no telegraph station between Meeker and Orting, and while the trains were between these points it was known they must come together. The suspense was appalling. Rawlins knew that only a miracle could prevent a wreck. He had nothing to say then, and has nothing to say now, except that every man who has railroaded it for a long time knows that mistakes will happen. He exhibited great nerve while waiting for the worst. He was relieved by Chief Dispatcher Albee, and went directly home to his family. He may be arrested after the inquest, which takes place here at 10 tomorrow morning.

C. W. Thompson, head end brakeman on the shingle train, saw the coal train approaching when it was twelve car lengths away. He yelled to Harmon and Martin to jump. Thompson's head was cut, but, like the others who were injured, he was able to walk, with his head tied up in bandages. The coroner is puzzled regarding the cause of Harmon's death. He weighed 200 pounds and there is not a scratch on him. He was found face up under a pile of loose shingles. He was probably either scared to death or smothered. The remains will be buried at Ellensburg by the side of his wife and son. The coal train men had a narrow escape, coal cars both in front and rear of where they landed being scattered over the track.