Wolseley Station was within about one hundred yards of the accident, and
thither the wounded were conveyed with all speed, whilst telegraphic
messages were being rapidly sent up and down the line for every
available medical man to be despatched on pilot engines, local trains,
or in every possible way, to meet the urgent need.
The Bartons, fortunately, were in the hinder part of the train, and,
with other passengers similarly circumstanced, with the exception of a
good shaking were comparatively uninjured. These proved most
indefatigable in helping the injured.
When tidings of the accident was wired to M’Lean Station, it happened to
be the day that Ranger had gone over on business, and hearing the sad
news he, without loss of time, drove down the line to Wolseley to see if
he could be of any assistance; for, wherever the news had spread, the
farmers and labourers were hastening in with all speed, knowing well
that in such a district, and at such a time, all the help obtainable
would be valuable. On his arrival he found the little station still in
the greatest confusion, there not having yet been sufficient time to
obtain the help needful to attend to the sufferers, let alone clear the
line.
The less seriously injured were being conveyed to the nearest
homesteads; whilst broken or damaged limbs were receiving such "first
aid" as the appliances at hand and the intelligence of the rough but
kind-hearted on-lookers suggested best to be done, until the surgeons
summoned should arrive.
The dead had been carried into the goods-shed at the station, and
reverently laid out to await the coroner’s order for removal.
Presently, coming across the Bartons, he found them endeavouring to
restore to consciousness a young woman apparently not more than
twenty-five years of age, who had both legs broken.
By this time several medical men had arrived, including Dr. Fisherton,
whom we last saw at Ranger’s Ranch; and these were speedily fully
occupied. When his attention could be arrested, Ranger secured his
services for the young woman the Bartons were attending, and in the
course of a short while they had the satisfaction of seeing her restored
to consciousness, her limbs set and bandaged, and ready to be conveyed
to some place for proper nursing.
In a number of cases this proved to be no easy task, since it involved
being carried back to the hospital at Winnipeg; Portage, and other
smaller towns, affording nothing like adequate accommodation for the
many sufferers.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account