Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-12-17
SMASH!
An Unfortunate Accident on the ID. X
r. &, Road at a POiut East Of
Grand Junction.
No, :, the West-BOund Through Pas-
senger Train, Runs Into Herd
of Cattle With Fatal Results.
The Engine is Turned Over, ana En-
gineer Welch and Fireman Me-
Donald Meet Death.
The Accident Occurred Mt 3 O'clock
This MOrning-The Train VIII
Arrive Tonight.
Graphic Description of the Disaster
by an Eyewitness, Who Tele-
graphs from Grand Junction.

Word was received in this city soon
after noon to-day that No. I, the west
bound d. & H. q. passenger train, had
been ditched at some point along the
road and that the result had been more |
or less fatal.
As is the case in all such occurrences,
rumor had the thing all fixed up to suit
itself, and long before the facts could be
learned there were all sorts OF stories in
the air One rumor had it that the en-
tire train had been ditched, with terri
bly, fatal result to the passengers
As the train was pulling along through
deep cut, some distance east OF Grand
Junction, at about clock this morning,
the engine suddenly came smash against
HERD OF CATTLE.
The engine was thrown clear from OIL its
wheels and in another instant it was ~
ing on its side with the engineer and fire.
man under it dead. The train came to a
stand-still, and fortunately none OF the
coaches left the track The passengers
were, of course, all in bed, and the shak-
ing up produced big scare, but they
soon settled down when they found them
selves all right.
The conductor and other train hands
rushed to the front and soon took in the
situation. Word was sent to the nearest
station, and in n short time crowd OF
wreckers were on the scene. 1t was,
LONG AFTER DAYLIGHT
When the train pulled out, and the pas
sengers were greatly relieved by being
taken away from the scene, During the
scare many OF the passengers climbed
from their berths and went to the front.
Fortunately the engine gave no trouble
| from fire or steam, but it was only with
great difficulty that it could be gotten out
OF the way when the new locomotive ar
rived.
The collision was entirely unavoidable,
and no one will regret the occurrence
more than will the railroad officials them
selves.
The news was Immediately telegraphed
to this city, and it was stated that the
name OF the engineer is Welch, and that
OF the fireman Mcdonald Both are Col
orado men and are employed only on the
eastern division OF the road. They are
therefore, not known here, and further
particulars about them would be devoid
of interest Their bodies were taken on
the train to Grand Junction, and will be
shipped to their Colorado homes to-day
The train was delayed some five or si1
hours by the accident and will therefore
not reach this city until nearly midnight
THE RUMoR OF THE SMASH
Was followed by statement to the ef
feet that big washout had occurred on thu
western division OF the road, which would
prevent No. from arriving here Tonight
and would delay No. s. Mr. Benedict
states however, that there is nothing
whatever in this rumor, as No. went
through all right and has not been in the
least delayed.
Late this afternoon the DEMOCRAT re.
ceived the following special Telegram
from Grand Junction, which sheds NOR,
light upon the unfortunate affair:
NEWS FROM THE SCENE.
Special to the DEMOCRAT
GRAND JUNCTION, Col, Dec. 17.-Trair
No. on the d. K r. q. ran into hero
/ of cattle, short distance east OF thi
place at about 3 o'clock th
morning, and the engine thrown
from the track RThe engineer Welsh, ant
the fireman, Mcdonald, were killed
; The train was going through a deep Gu
and had just rounded a curve when tn
cattle were discovered by the engineer
who reversed his engine and applied
the brakes but not soon enough to pre-
vent the accident. The train was run
ming on down grade forty miles an hou
and the tracks were slippery
Both engineer and fireman stuck Il
their engine and went over into the
ditch to their death. The passengers
were startled by the shrieknl
OF the engine and the next instant were
: thrown out of their berths by terrific
jolt, and the train came to Il standstill
When the engine struck the cattle il
threw three or four into the air
and then run over two, turning over up
sue uOMH. Inc IlIellldl lIleu W Cltd
himself from the cab, but die
not succeed. Engineer Welch wa
was instantly killed and was found unde
his engine, horribly crushed ant
burned. The fireman was takeI
out alive, but irightfully scalded AM
crushed and expired shortly aiterward
, The passengers were thrown into the ut
most excitement, but the men WORKED
hard to rescue the fireman and engineer
A special ran down to the scene of TIN
accident, bringing two physicians
and appliances for relief, but too late t.
[ render any assistance to the unfortunat,
, fireman and engineer. The passenger
4 Were taken back to the Junction
and were loud in their prais
OF the company's promptness to assis
them. The accident was unavoidable
, Engineer Welch was about As years ole
; and a married man and is said to hav
! had three children. Mcdonald was sin
gle.