Arizona weekly citizen., 1885-09-12
WRECKED.
4 Special Freight Train Ditehed Near
 ianianO.

A Terrible Cloud Burst That sent Rag ing River Down the Cien@ga.
 This morning there were dozens of rumors on the streets concerning an in- definite railroad calamity somewhsre on the Southern Pacific, each rumor hay ing a different locality. There were freight train collisions and accidents to the passenger, with frightful loss of life.
 Inquiry at the railroad depot this morning elicited the information that the special steamer freight for San Francisco, had neen ditched rear Pan tano. and that Engineer Stanton, Fire man Smith, Conductor Gillespie sud Detective Len Harris were hurt. From the west bridge of the Cienega 10 one mile east of PantsnO. the track Is all washed out, the bridges and culyerts swept away and the surging current has made dangerous Inroads upon the vari- Ous grades in thnt vicinity.
 There had evidently been a cloud burst st that particular point, for the deluge was sudden and overwhelming aEd the train had dashed into the wash out before any danger WAS apprehended. The telegraph poles were prostrated and the wires broken, and even the poles that were firmly and as 1t was supposed, securely imbedded in the rocky hIll sides and tops were washed out of their anchorage by the volume of water. The unfortunate train vas due here shortly after eight o'clock last evening, and the train dispatcher's chart here shows that it was approaching Pantano on time. A little later 1t was found that the wires to Pantano were down and when further ii lings from the train be- come imperative, message vas sent bY way of MOiave and Albuquerque, which elicited the first tidings of disaster. Assistant Super ihtendent J. A. Muir and Dr Handy at once took a specIRl and went eastward to the first break-tWenty-Cne miles from thIs city-but found that it was not possible to reach the wreck, which was miles beyond the surging flood of mu ldy water and floating debris. A. ter recOnDOltering the scene, NIT. Muir returned and secured saddle hOrses, and at five o'clock this morning he again left On a special with the intention of riding around the flood on the high and rough hills. It Is thought hIs report of the disaster would reach this city by noon to-day, as he has an operator with special instruments
 \ special train left here about nine o'clock this morning. with food and var IOus applicances, aud men tO repair the break. The pile driver will reach the wGshOut to day and the passenger train due this morning brought in a lot O msu % work on the repairs and two carloads of ties, Oy-- an hour behind time. The train Gii Tot take the east bound passengers bcy0Gd Tucson, aDd it was made up here and sent west on regular time thIs afternoon. The sec tiOn of railroad along the CieneRa has been n source Of great trouble and ex- pense to the railroad company. Two years ago the washOuts there were very extensive and covered long season. The company then raised their track and made portion of the road bed close to the hills, on solid rock. The culverts were all made of solid masonry with approaches that were considered proof against any en- croachmeDts of water. The bridges were substantially built and firmly braced and when the road was inspected after its repairs at that time, Mir. Long street, the brIlge superintendent, said DO amout of rain or running water could interfere with travel through the Cieness
 In ihIs case the fact of the saying that "man proposes and God dispOses" was well exemplified. Without the slightest warning the iunnel-shaped cloud poured down its column of water and Is tore down the heavy abutments and bent up the huge Iron bridges and swept away the steel ruiis and twisted them up like pieces of wire. Unless a temporary road can be constructed around the break travel will be obstructed for four or five days, and the company will be put to an enormous expense in the way of perman- ent repairs