The record-union., 1898-07-23
The LOCOMOTIVE EXPLODED.
A SHOCKING ACCIDENT NEAR
DUTCH FLAT.
Engineer Thomas Kelly, Fireman
Anson L. Perry and an I'm
known Man Killed,

A terrible accident happened on the
mountains yesterday by which three
men lost their lives and others were
injured.
Al 4:oO O'Clock in the morning, while
passing the station at Dutch Flat
fIacer County, the boiler of the head
locomotive of special train loaded
With fruit for Eastern markets, explod-
ed' frlghtfully mangling and instantly
kllilng the engineer. Thomas Kelly, the
hreman, Anson L. Perry, and an uni
oentl1ed man, supposed to be a tramp,
VINO was either passing coal or stealing
q ride on the tender.
Engineer Kelly was a married man
whose home was at 1909 l street IN
this city. He had a wide circle of
friends and acquaintances He had
been in the employ of the Southern Pa
cific Company for many years, and
was one of its most trustworthy en-
gineers.
Fireman Perry, who met his fate with
his chief, had been on the road for q
number Of years, during which time he
made his headquarters in this city. His
parents live at Oleta, Amador Coun-
". His home was at 11261a Sixth
street and he was unmarried.
Four persons in a small hotel adjoin-
ing the track, alongside the locomotive
when its boiler exploded, We're severely
though not seriously injured by flying
debris. They are Mrs j. r. Faler and
two children of Dutch Flat, and Henry
Disque of Colfax, Placer County. Their
injuries consist of bruises and slight
cuts. The hotel building was consid-
erably damaged by the concussion
nv Ia oyrola 1Ir Hx-Iy
pieces Of iron, splinters and other de-
bris
The cause of the explosion is now and
probably always will be mystery. \
few minutes before the disaster, while
the train was at Gold Run Station, the
water tank was filed and fresh sup
ply of fuel taken on. Owing to the
heavy grade up the mountains, which
properly begins at Gold Run, it is usual
for engineers to comfortably fill their
boilers and get up a good pressure of
steam while taking on coal and water.
in order to keep the boiler full while
going UP grade without pumping in
enough water at any one time, to great
ly reduce the steam. and it is reason
able to suppose that Engineer Kelly
followed the usual course.
The boiler of the engine only recently
passed through a thorough overhaul
ing al the railroad shops, where it was
subjected to a pressure equal to POO
pounds to the square inch. 1t was FRO
nounced by the experts to be in first
class condition.
The engine was completely wrecked
by the explosion. and the debris was
scattered to a considerable distance. 1t
will probably never be put in service
again.
Owing to the fact that the explosion
happened at the station, and between
the ends of the switch traffic was not
delayed and as soon another en-
CINE could be sent up from Rocklin the
train proceeded on it's way East.
Though fruit trains are usually spok-
en- Of as fast" trains. the railroad Off
cials are authority for the statement
that they in reality make no better time
between stations on the hill than do
ordinary freight trains. but that ~ney
make quicker runs from the fact thai
they do not stop at way stations, and
from the further fact that all trains ey-
cept passenger give them the right of
way When the explosion happened in
which Engineer Kelly and Fireman Per
ry lost their lives. the train was max
ing only ten miles an hour.
The Coroner of Placer County yester-
day held an inquest on such of the re-
mains Of the unfortunate men as could
be found. and last evening the bodies
We're brought to this city for interment
The remains Of Fireman Perry will be
sent to Oleta TODAY