The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-13
DOZENS DEAD.
Killed In a Coli
sion Near Omaha.
Freight Train Crashes Into a
Passenger Train.
THIRTYTHREEK KILLED
Horrible Sights at the Scene of
the Wreck.
Railroad Officials Try to Sup
press the News.

three killed and a half hundred more or
less dangerously injured is the result
of the wreck that occurred on the
Northwestern half mile this side of
Logan at 7:3O Saturday evening.
The Union Pacific Pioneer Employees
association excursion train was sudden
" turned into a funeral cortege and
the town of Logan made an emergency
hospital The extra had just pulled
out of Logan The station agent at that
place ran down to the switch and said:
Has the excursion train pulled out?'
When he was answered in the affirma-
tive he said: ''Wel. they left without
orders.
Just west of the town of Logan halF
mile is a trestle bridge on a sharp
curve. The excursion train was COM
posed of Il passenger cars, loaded with
I, 500 happy men, women and children,
mostly from Council Bluffs and Omaha.
They were making merry, singing and
shouting. Before the train reached
any Roadway there was crash, and
the excursion train had met an east
bound freight train running at a rate
of fifty miles an hour Some one had
Numbered, and thirty-t three human lives
were the price of the mistake.
The weight of the excursion train and
the speed Of the freight made the wreck
fearful one. The two engines were
completely demolished and the first two
cars of each train teIescoped. By a
miracle both of the train crews escaped
without a scratch by jumping.
The work of death was wrought in
the first coach OF the excursion train
In it were nearly a hundred people, and
but few of them escaped without in
jury There was no warning and with
the wreck of the car came the death or
dangerous injury of almost every Oc-
cupanr. All of the coaches were badly
shaken up and passengers more or less
hurt, but the dead were confined to the
first passenger coach.
The horror of the situation was seen
in an instant and prompt steps taken
for the relief of the injured and care
of the dead. Passengers who escaped
ing for the less fortunate. It was soon
given and the people of Logan turned
out en- masse to render all the assist
ance in their power.
A call was sent to Omaha and COun-
ell Bluffs for physicians and a wreck
ing train was sent from Missouri Val
ley.
The excitement was so great that it
was with the utmost difficulty that the
injured were cared for and the dead
removed. The dead were taken to IO-
gan and the seriously injured removed
there and placed in a temporary hospi-
tai while the homes of citizens Were
thrown open for the care of those who
were hurt but were still able to be
moved.
With the arrival of the physicians
from Omaha and Council Bluffs the
work was made easier and at midnight
the injured had all been cared for. The
passengers who escaped injury and
were not needed for the care of those
hurt or dead, were transferred to a spe-
cial train and started to Omaha at 2:15
o'clock.
All of the towns along the line would
have had a greater representa- ton in
the killed and injured list had not they
been refused passage on the excursion
train, which was chartered by Omaha
eXcursionfsts and refused to pick up
passengers that were waiting at every
little station along the line. Missouri
Valley suffered in the wreck. Charles
lehman had his neck broken and a
young man named Jennings was found
dead under a car. Two boys named
CrOutz and FitzgfbbOns of Missouri
Valley were seriously injured.
The first sight of the wreck was a
horrible one On the ground were sew
eral corpses and projecting from the
center of the passenger coach was a
torn and bleeding body, hanging head
and arms downward Axes and mai
let's were soon brought from the unin-
jured cars and the work of rescue be-
gun. After a few blows on the side
of the car a white-sleeved arm was
seen waving back and forth, while
wOman'S dying shrieks could be heard
from the interior OF the wreck.
The first words Of Mr.. DoItson when
lifted from the pinning beams were of
his son and continually thereafter did
he demand knowledge of ''Hughey'' He
was soon found 1ifeless. while the father
may live.
One child was calling piteousIy for
it's parents, while they were mangled
forms on the hillside.
hmm ediately after the wreck word
was sent to Omaha and in a short time
a. special with doctors and officers of
the road on board left Council Bluffs.
Reporters were detailed to accompany
the train. but instead of allowing them
to do SO the officials elected them with
the remark that We do not want any
damned reporters"
Among the piles of dead and dying,
people we're hunting at midnight for
friends and those dear to them, the
railroad officials standing around main
tanning a sullen silence and refusing to
furnish any information.
Following is a list of the dead, all Of
Omaha:
Charles NIcDermott
Pat Skully.
Patrick Cosgrove.
Margaret COsgrove.
John CosgrOve.
James COSgroVe.
George LOurin.
Mrs. p. J. Carroll and two children.
Mrs B F. Bradley and child.
W. l. DOdson.
w. Summit.
Mrs. F Nelson.
William Nelson.
John Perkins.
John PiersOn.
Miss Clark
Mrs. Hart and son.
Joseph McKenna-
L Mack
Mrs. Taylor and child.
B. Clarey-
NJ Clarey.
John KiIlker.
Among the injured are:
J. A. Lilly, Omaha; will die.
P. Montgomery. engineer, face cut.
Jack Taylor. Council Bluffs, Ia.
Leonard Mack. Omaha.
Michael Shannon.
John Perkins
William Summit