The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-10-17
A RIDE TO DEATH.


A Terrible accident on the Union Pacific
Near Eikhorn Station.
About nine o'clock on the morning of the
Sth, Union Pacific freight train No. o, was sent
west in two sections, both under running or
iers to Grand Island. The second section,
consisting of thirty-three empty freight cars,
was manned by George Chamberlain, en-
| gineer; George Sheldon, fireman; G.. b. Miller,
conductor, and two brakemen. At Elkhorn
they were twenty-three minutes behind time,
but knowing he had the right of way, Miller
ordered his engineer to go ahead, and they
started for Waterloo. About half a mile west
of Elkhorn station is sharp curve running
through deep cut. As they entered this cut,
going at a twelve mile gait, Miller saw light
engine coming down on them ut about the
same speed. He jumped into the tender and
made a leap for the ditch, landing on pile of
rails. and badly bruising his left leg. which
was injured in smash-up some time ago.
Chamberlain reversed his engine. but before
either he or Sheldon could get out of the way
the crash came, and they were both caught by
the tender which "buckled" up on the cab
and imprisoned them. Both men were so
firmly wedged in the wreck that it was impos-
sible 70 move them, and they lived out nearly
an hour of terrible agony. being literally
sealded and roasted to death.
The jar OF the collision threw the furnace
door open, and they were unable to move
away from the intense heat while at the same
time scaldng hot water poured on them
from the broken pipes; To one OF the brake
men who. was trying to rescue him,
Sheldon said For Gods sake, get
me out of here" and then realizing that
i was impossible, added: Its no use
der his back and he Strengthened up and bore
his sufferings without murmur. until death
came, an hour later. Chamberlain was con-
scious to the last and tried hard to direct the
work of the men who were attempting TO
"jack-up" the tender and release him. He
spoke of the stream of hot water running on
his legs, and made an effort to close the valve,
but could not reach it.
James Lowery. who was running the light
engine, jumped off and escaped unhurt.
Richard Norris, his fireman, was horribly
crushed, his right leg broken in two places,
and his left arm broken above the elbow. DIR.
Cyrus Baldwin, who CHANGED to be mt Elk
horn at the time, attended to Norris and get
him stan ted on the train for Omaha. AT Pa
pilion he was met by DIR. Mercer and other
Union Pacific officials, who took him to st.
Joseph.s hospital, where he died later in the
day.
All the actors in the sad drama are young
men and belong in Omaha. James Lowery,
on whom the chief responsibility rests, is
Lowery lost portion of one foot in railway
accident on the Union Pacific.
Richard Norris, Lowerys fireman, who died
at st. Joseps's hospital, was 2S years old. He
was married only three weeks ago, and his
death has nearly crazed his young wife.
George l.. Chamberlain, the engineer of No.
o, leaves a wife and two small children.
Chamberlain was one of the best known men
competent in his calling. He was for long
time on the bridge" run between Omaha and
Council Bluffs
George Sheldon, the fireman who died at his
post with Chamberlain, was also man on the
sunny side of 30: Sheldon was unmarried.
George b. Miller the conductor of No. 3,
who so luckily escaped from the wreck, is all
right with the exception of a bad bunch on
his left knee.