The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-03-26
A Culyert Gives Way on the North
ern Pacific, Derailing the East
Bound Express.
Express Messenger Miles Instantly
Killed and a Number of Pas
sengers Injured.
Right Cars Burned aud All the Mail and
Express Matter Destroyed Rumor
Of More Fatalities.

MtssouLA. March 2j.- Special. Early
this forenoon report reached this city
that irnm No. ., due here, had been
about 126 miles west of here The news
created considerable excitement and has
been the sole theme OF conversation all
day. The reports from the scene of the ac-
cideni have been very meagrc and authen-
tic information is impossible 10 obtain. 4
special train bearing Drs, Buckley and
Hllmantel, the ccnpGny's physicians, left
here al II q. m, with ordeas TO run II
mile minute. Admission on the specials
was denied others. TIn INDmTNpsNT re-
porter was at the depot, but was informed
thu IL would he impossible for him to take
passage ON that train. Later in the day an
effort was made by private individuals 10
get special TO go to the scene, but without
success. The only authentic information
was conveyed by n telegram from Noxon, as
follows;
"NoxoN. Mont, . p. m.-lriin No. >, east
bound, consisting OF two sleepcrs, two day
coaches, smoker, diner, baggage, postal and
this morning, while rounding sharp
curve. The diner, together with all
the cars ahead of IL, turned
over immediately, catching fire and were
soon destoyed. Express Messenger wm.
Miles met a frightful death by incinera-
ton, he being unable 20 exiricatc himself
from the burning wreck. Several passen-
gers were injured, though TO what extent
cannot be ascertained. Ono woman is said
To be badly hurt and may die. The track
is completely blocked the burning cars
making it impossible 10 clear it for traffic.
The direct cause of the accident is not
known, some claiming the rails parted,
while others attribute it TO the high rate of
speed al winch the train was moving while
rounding the curve. The injured are prop
erly cared for while awaiting the arrival of
special train from Missoula, now on its
way"
"HoPE, Idaho. p. m.-rrains Nos.
and 2, whose meeting point is at this place.
departed on timo ms usual this morning
Tram No. ., Conductor crandal, was zen
minutes later derailed, the accident being
caused by a broken rnil. The train con
sisted Of eleven coaches the dining car and
two sleepers alone remaining intact, the
others being now n charred mass, they hav-
ing taken fire shortly after leaving the
track. The casualties are the loss of one
life, that of Messenger Miles. While at
tempting to leave the wreck he was pinned
between the cars, where he burned 10 death.
No assistance could be extended him, the
heat being 50 intense il was impossible 10
reach him."
The escape of Others from instant death
is something remarkable, as while many
others are injured, that of the messenger is
the only death reported. Sparks, promi-
nent engineer who resides m Mssoula, WAS
Oh the wrecked engine and was reported
killed, but to-nigbt's information does not
confirm II. The wounded are now en- route
10 this city and will arrive about II p. in.,
when they will be taken 10 the hospital
AT 1890 p. 10. word WAS brought 70 Mis-
soula that 1--WE persons were killed in the
wreck. instead Of one, and they are still
searching the ruins.