Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-01-15

an early hour this morning. The long iron
span over the east channel and five loaded cars
were precipitated into the Mississippi river. No
one killed or injured. The loss to the railroad
companyis estimated at from eighty to ninety
thousand dollars. The trains of the Chicago,
Milwaukee s. st. Paul road will cross the
Chicago & Northwestern railroad bridge until
he iron bridge is repaired.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Especial Telegram to the Globe.]
LA CROSSE, Jan. 14.-This morning at 4
O'Clock the freight train from the river
division coming in, and one going out on the
Southern Minnesota division, collided on the
bridge of the Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul
company, and the shock broke the first span
of the bridge, east of the draw, one Of the
main spans on the Mississippi river, and let
that portion of the bridge and five freight
cars into the river. All of these cars were
out of the Southern Minnesota train. Infor-
nation as yet is indefinite, but that the river
division train ran on to the bridge without
orders is the probable explanation. The rate
of speed, however, was not over four or five
miles an hour, Indicating that the frosty
iron of the bridge gave away too easily. No
lives were lost.
Especial to the Globe
La CROSSE, Jan. 15.-The morning Chroni-
Gle will publish the following from facts OBJ
tanned on the ground: When the report was
spread abroad yesterday morning that one
span of the great iron railway bridge, of the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company,
which crosses the Mississippi river at this
point, had fallen under the weight of train,
people wre astounded and could hardly credit
the rumor. Although some railroad men
have shaken their heads ominously at the
long span, the citizeHs generally have had I'M
plicit confidence in the structure which looks
so airy and gossamer like from distance, but
so firm and enduring on close view,
and more than one exclaimed, II
never expected to live long enough to see
anything happen to that bridge" The report
was quite true, however, as all might see by
going to the foot of Main street, from whence
the top could be easily discerned.
CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.
The facts concerning the accident and the
cause leading UP to it are as follows: On the
west side of the bridge the track branches,
the Southern Minnesota bearing little south
of west, while the River division makes a
short curve to the north and on the curve
there is a falling grade from the
bridge. All railroad men know by
long experience that around the curve
and up the grade is hard pull for heavy
train, especially if the rails are slippery no
conductor is permitted to run his train upon
the bridge without orders, or his card as it is
called, but occasionally, perhaps: it would be
safe to say frequently, River division conduc-
tors east bound, do this in order to avoid stop
ping on the above named curve and grade,
with the consequent difficulty in again get
ting started. Another reason is that if they
stop at the proper place they must walk
the whole length Of their trains
to reach the bridge switch station, whereas,
if the train runs on the bridge, the caboose
comes up opposite the station house. A few
moments after five o'clock yesterday morning
Conductor Ed Harrington, with train of
twelve cars, approached the bridge from the
north, and ran upon the bridge as above ex-
planned. Harrington knew that train was
due going west, but expected to get his ca I'd
and get over the bridge first. The Southern
Minnesota train, No. 10, in charge of Conduc-
tor Walter kingsley, had orders to cross the
bridge at $40. The morning was cold and
the open water under the draw threw off
CLOUDS OF STEAM
partially obscuring everything in the
vicinity. Thus the train standing on the
bridge headed east, and the one approaching
uedutu west, were uOG visible 10 6dCQ OLQer.
The latter had speed of from four to six
miles an hour, and as soon as the engineers of
each became aware of the presence of the
other, the River division train commenced
backing, and the Southern Minnesota train re-
versed and made every effort to check its speed.
They were not successful, however. The two
engines came together with force enough
to shatter their pilots somewhat, but not
enough to break the headlights. The engines,
at the instant of collision, were nearly on the
pier between the span, next the draw, nearest
its west end. The shock could not possibly
have been severe, but it was sufficient to break
down the second span from the east end, 1854
feet in length, with five loaded cars standing
thereon, and allow the whole to
FALL INTO THE RIVER
below. The train broke at the third car
front the engine, leaving one car hanging over
the gap, while the ninth car,
overhanging the opposite side of
the gap in a similar way. Not wheel of
either train left the track, and not nickel of
damage was done to any car, except such as
went down with the span. These cars were
loaded as follows: Two with lumber belong
ing to the company, one with John Paui's
lumber, one with coal, and one with bolts
going to the Wells railroad shops. Thus it
will be seen that the cars lost were of rela-
lively trifing value. One car of merchandise
~.
and one car of humanity, would
have overspread the northwest with
GREAT CLOUD OF GRIEF.
The cars and bridge went into the water
much as cannon ball might. They just made
a hole in the ice big enough to let them
through and no more, so that when the work
men commenced clearing away they could ap-
proach them from all sides. The coal
car stands on end against the west pier. The
iron car is deepest in the water and the three
lumber cars were enough above the ice to al
low of tearing. off the roofs
to empty them. All the cars are inside
the span and all Lie partly on their sides
with their roofs to the north, in which direc-
ton the top of the bridge also lies.
THE DAMAGE.
The question of damage to the bridge struc-
ture is one on which estimates range from
$4,000 to 100000. The former figures are
given by the company's agent, Capt. Moulton.
We are inclined to believe $4,000 a moderate |
estimate, and 100000 wild one. The road
set about repairing the injury with its usual |
energy. Division Superintendent Atkins |
and other officers of the road tel |
egraphed that they would arrive in the
city by the lilo train, and orders for
clearing up, rebuilding, etc., were prompt and |
decisive. AS many men as could work to &C I
vantage commenced unloading the cars. At |
four O'Clock in the afternoon load of fifty
foot piles arrived, and il was the understand. |