The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-02-01
A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.
DEADLY WORK DONE BY A RAILROAD
STEAM HEATER AT sAN MARCOS.
MssSrs, Herman Heidenheimsr OF Austin
and z. vinIng Of San Anto,io In
sanity Killed and Several
Others Badly Injured

The entire city of Austin was
shocked beyond expression yesterday
morning when the news OF the sud
den and untimely death of Mr.. Her
man Heidenheimer at or near san
Marcos spread over the city with
llghtning-like rapidity. All kinds OF
rumors were pom sflOat, some OF them
being to the effect that hig death was
caused by the explosion OF the stove
in the waiting room at san Marcos,
while others located the scene Of the
tragedy on the Missouri, Kansas and
Texas branch between San Marcos
and Lock hart. The utmost endeavOTs
of his friends failed To bring any def.
mite and positive Information, hence
they concluded they would engage u
special train, 90 over and see Tor
themselves and ON their return bring
with them the remains OF their friend.
The telegraph wires were brought
into use and with the very valuable
assistance of Captain Leitnaker Of the
Austin and North western q special
tram was made up compos d Of All
engine furnished by the International
and Great Northern railroad and a
day coach supplied b Captain Lett
maker. At 1890 O'Clock the tram
pulled over the Colorado river
bridge bearing party com
posed of Messrs. /. and A. Nicholson,
M, Ganss, Tn. II PhilipsOn, JOhU w.
m.
ter, Paul Goldman, Adolph Goldman,
John Firzhugh, John Chenneville,
Captain Leitnaker, YardmasteT
Powell of the International and Great
Northern railroad, and CRAFTSMAN
reporter. At ManChaca the tain was
delayed by q hot box on the tender
for about Is minutes, the next stop be-
ing made at Kyle, where the party
was joined by Messrs. II. HellmaD, q
q, Flelzs and l.. Braundchieg.
San Marcos was reached at 2.3O
o'clock aud at once the party went TO
the hUiheiElz house, 10 which polnt
the remains had been removed. There
was found large crowd Of curtously
morbid people, awaiting chanGe
glimpse OF the remains OF Messrs.
Herman HeidenheImer aad r.. VIning
OF San Antonio, which had boon lalu
out In the back room of the hotel.
In room l5 vi the hotel stretched
out In bed was Mr. Roland simmons,
well known In this city, formerly in
the employ Of Mr.. Eugene Won Boz OK
mann, aud to his room the reporter
was fret conducted. In answer
to queries he said he was On his way
to Lockhar from San Marcos, la
gone To tho Katy depot, which is
about mile from town, entered the
coach which was then standing on the
track for the purpose of getting warm.
When he went in he found Heiden-
heimer, Il VininR, Geo. Huff and 5.
Z. KOne of San Marcos standing
around the stove. AS soon as they
saw him they began Ruying, saying
he was a little man, and ~ they were
meu In every sense OF the word he
had better GO into the next coach and
g. / warm He took thum AT Their
word ami had gone out o. the PLAID
form and was in the act of closing the
door when the explosion took pace
The next thing he knew he found
himself in the next coach aud saw
HUFF IN the Car he had Just let, trying
TO regain his feet. He went tn his
aid, aud seeing that he was badly
wounded, assised in wrapping him
up In d blanket, afapr which ne was
conveyed TO the hOtei and medical
assist rendered simmons in.
juries consist Ut u badly strained back
and bruised shoulder, but he viii soon
be himself again.
From further statements obtained
rom simmons aud Others who were
close at hand, 1t seems that At the
time nt the explosion only three men
were In the car anu ali OF them were
standing close Iothe stove. They were
Herman Heidenheimer, Mr.. H VIM
ing of san antonio who repres ents the
City Brewing company OF that place
and Mr.. George Huff of Palestine who
travels for " II. Lee ~ ca. of ST.
Louis, whisky dealers. Mr.. Sam =
KOue ol San Marcos. had also teen in
the car few moments previous but
had eft 1t at the request Of Mr.. Sim.
mons To look after his baggage when
that gentleman entered the car, aud
that request alone saved his life, be
being az the depot not more than 100
feet away when lha explosion took
place. AT IN II time the three gentle,
men first msntioned were standing
around the stove chatting pleasantly,
the subject OF their conversation be.
ing the recent Duval ira robbery.
Mr.. Heidenheimer saying that it
seemed To be his luck TO be mixed "
inevery traiU robbery and wreck that
occurred In the state. At that
moment the explosion occurred.
Mr., Heidenheimer was in the act OF
putting on his gloves aud had slipped
on tn tingers III the left hand glove
while Mr. Vlning who WAS very
portiy man, weighing probably 300
pounds, was standing facing the
heater with his hands I'm hid OvsrcOal
pockets and slightly In front OF Mr..
HUFF The location OF the heater In
the car was as usual, being In The eud
directly across the aisle ON the gen.
tlemen's water closet. The force oi
the explosion was simply terrific
When those in the neiR hborhond Ot
the depot, it being abouD
$3.50 O'Clock nearly time iol
the train TO pull out tor san Marcos
ventured into the ca "A horrible sig
met their gaze. Lying in the aisl,
with his hes 1 sli Ehtly up against tn,
Araf Eaot Nyaa Mr. ttaiIan IA d. 1 a., . .,