The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-11-21
CASCADE DIVISION STILL BLOCKED.
Temporary Trestle at Palmer G oes Down
With Train of Flat Cars.

TACOMA. Nov. 20.-ISpecial. "A tempo
rary trestle at the Green river bridge wash
out, near Palmer, gave way yesterday
when flat cars were run upon it. The cars
and nearly all of the temporary structure
were precipitated into the Green river.
The current at that point is too swift to
permit any speedy work in replacing the
washed-out bridge.
1t is therefore not known when trains
will be moved over the Cascade division of
the Northern Pacific. News of the giving
way of the temporary trestle at Palmer
was brought to this city by gentleman
who had just come from the scene of the
washout. His information was much more
startling than that credited above. He
said:
After the temporary trestlc was up an attempt
was made to pass locomotive and one coach
over it. When the engine and car were well
upon the trestle, the whole thing tumbled into
the river, after s8aying to one side. Several
were injured, but, as far as could learn, none
were drowned.
This statement could not be authenti-
Gated by the Northern Pacific officials
here. Division Superintendent McCabe is
away, and General Assistant Superintend-
ent Dickinson is personally superintend-
ing the repairs at Palmer. The train dis
patchers say the bridge washout is off
their division, and beyond their iurisdic-
ton. Besides, the wires are down near
the washout.
So far as the trestle having given away,
precipitating cars into the river, is con-
cerned, the statement of the gentleman
from Palmer is authenticated by Northern
Pacific train service officials. They say the
cars were run upon tn. trestle, but that
they were only fiat cars, and were put
upon the trestle to test its strength. 1t
proved not strong enough, and let the
cars into the river. This latter informa-
ton comes from several unbiased quar-
tiers, and is the most authentic informa-
tion that can be furnished.
No increased wrecking force has been
asked for at Palmer, and no surgeons have
been ordered to report there. Therefore
1t is considered probable that the breaking
of the trestle did not result In any demand
for either, else they would have been sent.
No trains were sent to Seattle today.
Assistant General Superintendent Dick
inson returned tonight from the scene Of
the damage to the Northern Pacific bridge
near Palmer. He is confident that, bar
ring further mishaps, trains overland will
be started by noon tomorrow. 1t seems
probable that train service on the Tacoma
Seattle branch will be resumed tomorrow
morning.
Last nigot il was believed that the train
leaving here at III O'Clock would surely
reach Seattle on time. Because of the
delay at Sank river rumors got started
here today that the train broke
through the approach TO the Sank river
bridge, and unwarrauted alarm resulted
among the friends of passengers. The
origin of the rumors appear 10 have been
the fact that while the Seattle train
waited near Stuck river several Hat cars
loaded with rocks were pushed upon
temporary trestle and filling to see
ii it would be strong enough
to bear train. II did not
give way and the locomotive also was sent
over the bridge, but few minutes after ii
passed over the entire temporary filing
and structure was swept away by the
water. The work had 10 be done over
again, the men working all last
night and tonight. The officials
here say the Black river wash
out was not troublesome or damaging The
damage on the Cascade division is put
down as amounting 10 $1,000 by Assistant
General Engineer McHcnry. The esti-
mate does not include the dam
age at Crocker or on the Seat
tie branch. Further investigation
indicates that the fiat cars did
not fall into the river at Palmer, bu. At
Gle Elum. where another LARGE bridge was
undermined by swollen streams. When
this condition oil affairs was re-
ported here, it was predicted that
there would be no train East
over the Cascade division inside Of q
week. The wires are now up along the
Northern Pacific. and. after summing M
the situation. Superintendent Dickinson
says trains Will move tomorrow.