The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-09-19
A RAILROAD WRECK
Two Trains Run Into Each Other
Near POcatellO.
FIVE PEOPLE ARE KILLED
a Number Iniured-A Terrible Fire in Chi
cago-Narrow Escape of Numerous In
mRtes-Seyeral Tenants Sutfocated.

PocATELLo, Idaho. Sept. 1S.-fSpecial
telegram TO THE HERALD. l-One of the
most disastrous wrecks the Union Pacific
has experienced on the Idaho division for a
long time occurred this morning about
O'clock at Portneuf station, six miles east
Of this place, passenger trains Nos. and 2
colliding, killing five men and seriously
injuring number of others. The killed
are L. Wedemier, mail clerk running from
Huntington TO Cheyenne, and four Indians
from the Fort Hall reservation. The in
iured are Engineer Charles Hoyt, Girls
Mackens aud 2. H. Gunderson, two
tramps; Mail Clerk Lyons and a seuaw.
OF these, Hoyt, Lyons and the squaw
are the only ones in immediate danger.
Lyons is fearfully scaided and injured in
terEally, as is the squaw. Hoyt, although
not so bad, suffers terribly from a broken
shoulder blade and slight injuries in
ternaily. Mackens and Gunderson had
their right arms broken and are terribly
cut on their bodies.
This morning when passenger train No.
2 left this point the conductor was given
orders to meet, go on the side track, and
L
2 neared that point he discovered the
other train, which, being west bound, had
the right of the main line, just stopping.
When little less than half mile of the
other train the engineer on No. 2 ''felt'' his
air and discovered that he had no control
wnatever of his train. He Immediately
whistled for brakes, but before the train
men had time to respond they were almost
upon the other train. Conductor Hogan
tagged in vain at the air valve in the car,
and in a second, with a crash, struck No. l,
which was then at a standstlll. The con-
cussion was terrible, as No. ., being be-
hind, was going at terrific speed, and not
having the use of the brakes, struck with
rs much force as she had attained half a
mile back. Before the collision the en-
glneers and tiremen on both engines
Jumped, all escaping unlniured except
Hoyt
The scene of confusion which followed
was terrible to witness. The engines aud
mail cars were piled up in heap while the
air was filled with the groans of the in
iured and dying men under the debris. The
first men taken out were the two nail
clerks on No. 2, Shinn and Mcmillan, who
were uniniured. Then the dead body of
Wedemier was found, after which Lyons,
Guadorson and Mackens were rescued and
the remains of the Indians who were mutt
lated beyond recognition, were taken out
The dead and injured were all brought to
this city. The coroner's Jury in the case of
Wedemier have concluded the railway com.
pany was not to blame for the accident.
His remains will be shipped tomorrow to
Cheyenne where the parents of the de-
ceased reside. So far as can be ascertained
there is nothing for which to blame the
railroad officials. Superintendent Calvin
says: "Our investigation has not yet ended
but so far as we can find nothing to con-
hict with the engineers story that he could
not work his air, and as everything was all
right he left here, we cannot blame him Or
the air inspectors"
y SHOULD not the switch at Portneuf have
been thrown open SO as to let No . on the
side trsckl'' was asked.
"No," be replied. at was the place of
No. to stop and throw the switch. As a
voluntary courtesy Conductor Burbank, of
No. /, as soon as his train stopped, started
90 throw the switch, but before he was
one-quarter Of the distance, No. was upon
them
Engineer Hoyt's story, that he had no
control of the train, seems to be fully
cororberated, and the railroad company is
exhonerated. 1t is thought at a late hour
tonight Mail Clerk Lyons will survive.
although he is scalded fearfully. The
wrecking train is still at work clearing up
evidences Of the catas trophe.