The Saint Paul globe., 1897-06-08

ing along toward Hudson It was on
the track On which it had been ordered.
and Engineer Ira Wallace had not the
slightest warning Of the danger before
him. AT the point where the collision
occurred, there is a heavy grade. The
freight train was going down grade
and was accommodating momentum.
Suddenly the engineer of the freight
train saw approaching another engine.
pushing before it two cars He could
not for the instant tell whether OF not
the approaching work train was on its
right track.
The mistake was discovered by the
engineer Of the work train first. He
blew his whistle sharply and it was
answered by the whistle Of the freight
engine, but no power could have stop
ed either train, SO closely were they
upon each other. The engineer of the
freight train had but part Of minute
to act. He reversed his engine, but
stood his post while, his fireman jump
ed from the cab just in time
Fireman Thayer and Engineer Brog-
an, of the work train, were not so
fortunate as the crew of the other en-
gine. They had no time to jump. With
frightful crash the freight engine
plunged into the work car, which con-
tained living freight There was no
escape for the poor men entombed
there. Trapped like rats, they met
death without warning In a fraction
Of second, the caboose and the work
car were completely telescoped. 1t is
| a miracle that any of the men sue
/ ceeded in getting out alive, so complete
| was the demolition of the cars The
| two telescoped cars were forced into
! each other as completely as the covers
| of glove box. The tender of the
| work train engine was forced into the
cab of the locomotive, and Engineer
| Brogan and Fireman Thayer were
hurled into the mass of wreckage to
be cut and mained, scalded and all but
killed
Poor Reeby was killed Instantly His
neck was broken and he received in
ternal injuries. He lived at Altoona.
The freight engine was forced hale
way into the crowded cars, and after
poising moment, it fell over by the
side of the west-bound track The
Goals from it's fire box were hurled
everywhere, landing in profusion over
the telescoped cars.
And then fire appeared to add it's
horrors.
Instantly the dry woodwork of the
cars became ignited. There were guam
titles of oil and waste in the wreck
which burned like powder. Those who
were not killed and who were able to
help themselves, stood for a moment
| Gazed. All self-possession was gone.
But there came from the wreck
stif1ed groan and this brought the more
fortunate men to their senses. They
rushed to the wreck and the work of
rescue commenced.
Meantime the flames spread rapidly
over the wreck. One of the first to be
pulled out was Engineer Brogan. He
was alive and practically unconscious.
Then one of the crew of the work
train was pulled out covered with
blood. Following him Fireman Thayer
was discovered and pulled out of the
wreck.
And still the flames increased. All
efforts to stay them were absolutely
futile. Hotter and hotter they grew
and stiller and stiller came the groans
of the poor fellows who were pinioned
underneath the burning timbers. It
was then supposed that probably the
dead would number ten. Those who
were able to do so worked manfully.
A messenger was speedily sent to
Hudson and another to North WiScon-
sin Junction, and kilograms were sent
to the general offices in ST. Paul. A
relief train was ready to leave the city
before O'clock, bearing a number OF
physicians, and officials of the road.
The run to Hudson was made as quick
ly as steam could carry the relief train.
Another crew Of men was sent down
to clear the track in order to allow
the passage of other trains. The en-
crin Of ho f~oi i0of fr-oi al
ished, but not more than two or three
cars left the track. The engine of the
work train was also badly used up.
The body of Watchman Reeby was
Immediately placed on the relief train.
Fireman Thayer and Engineer Brogan
were also placed on board. The city
and county ambulances, the ambulance
from ST. Joseph's hospital and Dam
piers undertaking wagon met the
train at o'clock when it pulled into
the union depot.
The dread responsibility for the
death of his fellow men, the railway
officials declare, must fall upon the
shoulders of Conductor James Owens.
of the work train, which, but for the
wrecked and twisted remnant of an en-
CINE, was completely obliterated In
the collision. The train can be re-
placed, but not so the lives of the poor
fellows, whose end came with no sign
of it's terrible approach. Included in
the report of the accident made to
officials of the Omaha road, it Is set
forth that Conductor Owens, of the
work train, made up Of an engine,
lodging or working car, and ca
boose. had orders to keep to the west
bound track between Hudson and the
junction. The working crew, consist
ing of possibly a score of men, was
driving piles along the road, and was
in charge of Foreman D. S. Hurd,
who has been with the road for over
ten years and is a trusted employee.
He lived at Eau Claire. The conductors
orders included the right to flag any
thing save the passenger trains
Before leaving Hudson with his train
he asked the operator at that place to
run Freight Trains Nos. Al and 81,
bound to st. Paul, from the Eastern