Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1867-08-17

tkUm lht PlAtWS
DISRUPTION OF THE T.P.R.R. 81 INDIANS.
An Engine wrecked--Fe Fearful Death
Of the Engineer.
Exciting Adventures with ladtans.
The Dasy - she Gsvernns.s.
Ac.. Ae.. &C.
special Corsespondsnce Of the DssscsAs.l
GRAxD ISLAND STATION, U. P. r. Ri
Friday. August 9th, 1867,
EDiroR DsxocRAr: Until lately. l have
imagined that the Indians were not likely
to interfere with the working Of the U. P.
Il. r., basing my conviction on their sp>
parent awe whenever in the presence Of
locomotive. 1t seemed to me that they look.
ed upon an Engineer, with something Of the
right ides Of the responsible position,
which 10 his, in the running Of . train.
And We gave them credit, thus far. over
more enlightened mostals, who generally
lock upon the Conductor of train as The
man no sees them safe TO their dsstina.
tion. However, the events Of this week
are bringing US under the impression that
the Indians are becoming enlightened most
too fast, and since their venture has proven
such success TO them, We are apprehen.
sive lest they won't know when TO stop
doing.
But let me give you . few details Of che
late Indian disruption Of the working Of
the U. P. X. X. The freight train. leaving
Omaha at 6A. n, consisted last Tuesday,
Aug. 9th. Of two sections. They arrive
here, which 10 the end Of the frst DIVISION,
at GAO P. NJ; engines are changed and leave
here for tho west at Z r. n. The leading
train consisted Of eighteen cars, loaded with
road material and considerable merchandise,
and WAS drawn by engine No. 5S, built by
Norris 4 Sons. Philadslphia.
II arrived and left Plum Creek, 230 miles
vest Of Omaha, on time Four miles wese
Of the latter station. right upon the open
prairie, there is . curve to the right. Here
was the place sslected BY the Indisns to try
the first interference Of the red man with
| railroad trains. No Indians had been seen
in the vicinity for long time; even the
Pawnees, who fortnight since we're every
day to be seen about Grand Island, they too
had all disappeared, and every ono supposed
that oil were off on their annual buffalo
hunt. But 20 resume. At ! 4. 4. the train,
which was probably going at . speed Of as
miles per hour, came TO nearly an instantan-
| eous stop. In the way-car was the oonduc-
! tor, two brskesmen and two other men.
| The conductor and one of the last men =
toned persons Immediately jumped from
| the car and went to the front end Of the
train, whore terrible and startling objects
appeared about them Immense clouds Of
steam were escaping from the wrecked en-
gine. but the agonizing cries Of the engineer
enabled them to find him out and gather q
fsv broken accents ere the vital spark
had left the shockingly dis6gured body.
The head light Of the engine was
yet burning, and it's bright glare
revealed to the two lone men, an unknown
number Of savages, who seemed momsntar>
| lily gazing at the destruction Of which they
had been the means. The two men has
| tened back to the rear end Of the train amid
yells and missiles Of death from their cruel
| foe.
The conclusion had extinguished all the
lights. The second train Was seen to be
close ct hand. Whst means was there to
prevent . repetition Of destruction p
Fortunately, the conductor had good judg
ment and dasting away from the natives be
retreated towards the coming train and with
his coat, attracted the engineers attention
tho brakes were applied, the engine reversed
and just 40 the Indians showed themselves
with dire intent upon either hand, the train
was on its retreat to Plum Creek. What
few women and children there was ct the lat
ter station were hurried on the train and
taken back to Elm Creek, station 8 miles
east.
The train returned to Plum Creek at day
light, and after sun rise got dozen men =,
50 upon the engine, aud went towerds the
scene Of the wreck. Perhaps dozen red
skins were in the vicinity who kept ct q
safe distance. They were oil mounted. A
few shots were exchanged with them, bu,
to no purpose. Extra trains, each with
forces Of men were upon the scene BY ten
O'Clock aud noon. The following facts were
ascertained Stones and blocks of wood
had been taken, and with telegraph wire,
SO fastened to the rails 40 to make . rum
| off inevitable. A slight culvert two feet
~SSP, "oo uuoSsiuihSos nuu W ucti tu0 cuRIue
| struck it, it must have already left the rail ;
the engine careered to the left. ploughed
deeply in the dirt. and rail penetrated the
whole lengthlof the boiler All its upper
works we're . total wreck, the tank va 8
thrown to the right and rested with its
front end against the side of the boiler. Two
fiat cars next to the tender, and loaded with
brick, were thrown nearly beyond the en-
gine. A third car, loaded with coal wss ais
SO precipitated into the ruins. The other
cars remained pretty much in line on the
rail.
Here let me mention that the two brakes.
men did not leave the caboose, till il was
too late to take the train that fell back
They broke out and the arrows, shots, etc.,
followed them in showers. They soon dis>
tanced their enemy and fouod their vsy to
the blufs, some three miles o6. One Of the
brakssmen says. that when day light came,
they could distinguish some 25 or 80 In
diana about the wreck, to which they Get
fire. All the box care were burned. and
only few Of the others. A few chssred
remains was all that was found If the en-
ginees and fireman. The former, Brooks
Bowers = better known among rSil>
road men - "Bully Brooks" has only
been on the road some two weeks, he leaves
. wife and family in Ohio. The fireman.
Leo Hsnshsw, bas friends living 1t Gales
burg, Ills.
There were not the only lives lost. %
search subsequently, proved. The wires be-
coming imperative about 9 P. n. Tuesday
eve, TO the west Of Plum Greek, fur meu
and the night operator started along the
line on hand car, to look up the cause.-
The obstructions were already on the rails.
snd they were sent head>lone; and ere they
regained their feet, were attacked; three
succeeded in escaping one was shot thro'
The arm, horribly scalped, Il Afterwards
saw him), end left upon the ground for
dead the other was found with numerous
arrow wounds and shets in his BODY: he
had been dragged about until the clothing
was quite torn from the body. Ny voca
ton called me to the wreck, about ?. \. !;
the sight and incidents thereto were appall.
ing to the strongest nerves. A side track
was lard above the track aud travel resumed
the following day. OF course the msst in.
tense excitement exists, and at this date. is
but little abated. Night trains west Of here
ere discontinued for the present.
A few struggling 1ndisns are seen each
day. Tho rich booty they got by such easy
means, will make subsequsns attempts en-