Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1891-07-31
AWFUL ACCIDENT
On the Northern Pacific
Railroad.
THE DEFECTIVE TRESTLE
Supports Were the Cause of the
Horrible Mishap-Many Per-
sons Seriously Injured.
THE DEFECTIVE TRESTLE

An article in the Spokane Spokesman
of recent date says; The Palouse
freight went through trestle west OF
Spokane last evening, killing one man
and seriously injuring another. As
every one in Spokane knows, there are
number of trestles on the Northern
Pacific railroad between this city and
Hangman creek. The first one is just
west of Browne S addition over the Med
ical Lake road. 1t is probably 100 feet
long. and is made OF large timbers, which
were being removed by a force OF dozen
or more workmen.
The Spokane and Palouse train passed
over the trestle about 8 p. NJ, and the
Washington Central train was equally
fortunate an hour later. freight tram
also made the trip without causing any
alarm, but Just as the workmen had put
on their coats and taken up their things
preparatory to quitting work for the day
the local Spokane and Palouse freight
came along and started across the treste.
Engineer Spear was at the throttle.
Fireman M. Flaherty was shoyeling coal
in the tirebox, and Brakeman Mike Hot
felt was sitting in the lookout of the ca
boose, while Brakemen j S. Lynch and
ii. G. Mcdonald, Conductor G. w. Sans,
Assistant Roadmaster J. J. Lynch of 3l2
East Fifth street were seated in the ca
boose with w. R. Long of Pomeroy, who
was taking fifteen head OF cattle to Sand
Point, and j. w. Mcconnell, cattleman
of Oaksdale. Suddenly, just as the en-
CINE was about midway on the bridge, it
began to sway; there was a loud cracking
noise; the trestle trembed and then
went down with terrific crash, throw
ing three OF the freight ears together
and breaking them into kindling wood.
FIFTH rIME-sEyEN MONTHS.
One car rolled over and only had a
board or two Knocked out of its bottom ;
the caboose was jerked sideways while
the engine kept the track, though stand
ing almost perpendicular on the tender.
Brakeman Hoffelt had seen the en-
CINE sway, and got on the roof of the
caboose with the intention OF jumping
off, but he was too slow and was thrown
violently off to the ground fifty feet be-
low, the caboose tumbli & after him, but
fortunately falling in the debris OF the
cars and not touching him. lie escaped
with but scratch.
Everybody else in the car was equally
fortunate except Roadmaster Lynch,
who had his back badly sprained.
The engineer also escaped, but the
fireman was more unfortunate and was
crushed about the chest between the en-
CINE and tender lie was taken out and
carried to the hospital, but died as he
was being taken to that institution.
There were four freight cars in the
train. One was loaded with twentv-four
head of horses and eight colts belonging
to w. l.. Campbell of Genesee, who was
shipping them to Nebraska. There was
also a car OF hay and wheat and car OF
furniture. The horses fell at the bottom
OF the pile, with the cattle car and grain
upon them. Several head of horses were
killed instantly, and some Of the cattle.
Others died later, and still others We're
SO lily hurt that they had to be killed.
There were some swine with the cattle,
ana those that were under the larger an
lmals were mashed fiat. Dead and diving
horses lay for some distance along the
road. There WAS little colt with its
front legs broken lying near its mother,
Whlle an older colt was rescued, safe and
sound, and was seen scampering up the
NIL. The cattle were also badly injured
except two or three, which were saved.
Those who are inclined to be supersti-
tlous will not want to travel in Caboose
NO. l423, for this was the fifth time in
seven months in which it has been
dltched, which fact possibly accounts for
the dexterity of the brakeman in prenar-
ing to jump. The engine was No. 270.
THOSE ROTTEN rKESrLrs.
The accident was caused by the sup
port of the trestle not being pIumb and
by many of the timbers being yerv rot-
ten, so that when from the Jar OF the
passing train some of the supports
slipped and the weight of the cars was
thrown on the decaved timber then tba
crash came. If the train had been five
minutes sooner, it would have caught fine
repairing crew, and several more men
would have probably been killed
AS soon as news of the wreck cached
town many stories were circulated. The
west pound passenger train, it was said
had been wrecked, and one man rushed
INTO drug store with the information
mat thlrty passengers had been killed.
crowds walked or drove to the wreck
dHu Watched the process of clearing.
Inc body of the dead fireman was
taSen In charge by the Brotherhood of
flfemen, and was taken to Sprague for
% o.if .' ne was single man, rs years
OF age, and universally admired,
hoadmaster Lynch is resting ouiatlv
ana says the doctors have assured him
ne Will soon be well again.
The accident DELAYED tho tro;r 49,
eral hours, and had it not been for the
good work OF the fagmen several acct
dents might have occurred. ''