, 1883-06-30
DEATHS CARNIVAL.
FrIghtfuI Calamity on the Northern
Pacific Railroad.

!
miles was ever constructed that SO
miraculously escaped serious acci-
dents as has the NOryherT Pati
There is always a great risk on new
line, and only the greatest care can
avoid disasters. Yet sooner or later
the public is bound to be awakened
to the fact that railroading is to a
certain extent dangerous. One Of
the most serious and fearful accidents
that have yet taken place on the
Northern Pacific was the smash up
that occurred at half past six o'clock
last Saturday evening, mile and a
half beyond Heron Siding, a station
some 80 miles east of this place. a
construction train consisting of fiat
cars carrying about 80 Cinnamon la
bOrers from a point beyond Heron to
their camp some four miles this side
Of that point, ran into a wood train
going east, just after that train had
crossed the high trestle bridge over
Elk creek. Both trains were mOv-
ing at high rate of speed and both
engines and a number of cars were
shattered to pieces by the collision.
The unfortunate Cinnamon were
huddled together on the two fiat cars
in the rear Of the engine, and conse-
quently most frightful loss Of life
resulted. The scene Of the accident
beggars description. Men were torn
topieces, limbs were crushed to pulp,
and bodies deformed beyond recogni-
ton. The heavy masses of iron and
steel were locked together and twist
ed out Of shape, while the wooden
cars were torn to shreds. On all
sides lay the dead and dying,
while the mOans and cries Of
the injured were heartrending.
When those who escaped injury
and others who fastened to the
wreck at last succeeded in gath
ering together the remains. Of those
past all earthly aid and administer
ing to others suffering from wounds
it was discovered that Engineer
Pike, and a white man who was rid
ing on the construction train, and
several Cinnamon were killed out
right, and four whites and forty-six
Cinnamon more or less wounded.
Since then six Cinnamon have died
from injuries received, making to-
tai Of twenE-siX deaths. DR.. l.. II.
Whitehouse, Of this city, the COM
pany's surgeon, was at once tele-
graphed for, and went up to the
wreck at 1880 Saturday evening on a
special, but as the labor was too
heavy for one physician to attend to
he at once telegraphed for DIR. G. S.
Allison, who ran out on the regular at
4 o'clock Sunday morning These
two gentlemen, skilled in the prac-
tice Of surgery and old in spectacles
Of the kind, were Mortified at the
sights that met their eyes. They
did everything in their power to al
leviate the sutferings, and before re.
turning had made the wounded as
comfortable as possible. They were
compelled to work for hours, ampu.
tating no less than eight arms, legs,
arms and feet, besides setting scores
Of broken bones, sewing up ghastly
cuts, and binding up terrible bruises.
As stated above six Of the unfOrtu-
mates died from the hurts. DIR.
WhitehOuse thinks that the balance
Of the injured will eventually recov-
er from their wounds. The railroad
company is doing all in their power
for the comfort Of those injured, hav-
ing a competent physician in charge
with the necessary number Of nurses.
We are informed that the wood train
was running on orders to keep flag
man out in advance, while the con-
struction was rushing toward the
station to side track for a passenger
about due. At the time Of the crash
the wood train was just slowing
down to drop the fiagman, and as 1t
was on curve nothing was known
Of the proximity Of the construction
until the trains were within a few
yards Of each other. The engineer
and fremen Of the wood train saved
themselves, as did the firemen Of the
construction, who jumped while the
train was under full headway, sus-
tanning but minor injuries. Poor
Pike, however, hung to his engine
until too late, for when he jumped
both engines met and the tank was
thrown upon him, crushing and
smOthering him to death.
Besides the loss Of life considerable
loss in dollars and cents was entailed
upon the company, as the engines as
well as a number Of cars are wrecked
beyond reconstruction. Travel over
the line was delayed only a short
time as the debris was cleared off in
a very few hours.
Fourth Of July.
1t is not necessary to call the at