The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-24

on the bridge at the time. All brakes
We're set ON the freight at the time of
the collision, but failed To work owing
to the snow and ice on the tracks Be
cause Of the wreckage no trains were
run until 4 p. M, when a spur track
was completed around under the north
end Of the bridge. While the tracks
We're tied up the eastbound Wisconsin
Central and Northern Pacific trains
were sent around by way of Gladstone
the st. Paul Duluth to St. Paul, and
all WcstbOuLd trains We're sent over
the Milwaukee tracks to Minneapolis
Passengers on the Mississippi street
car line were transferred across the
tracks
During the heavy storm the snow had
drifted considerably in the yards and
at I O'Clock yesterday morning a work
train made up of fifteen fiat cars with
engine No. $50. in charge of Engineer
Furlong, and a gang of men under
Foreman Rafferty, began the woISl of
removing the snow. One load had been
taHen out, and the men were on track
lOadinS for the second trip when the
accident occurred.
The eastboUnd Wisconsin Central
extra freight. in charge OF Conductor
Hitter and Engineer Smith. made it's
appearance on the Bunker hill incline
1t was seen by the Workmen in the
yards, but attracted no particular at
tentiOn. as a stop was supposed to be
made above the Bunker Hit ser-aphorc
until the tracks could be cleared
Instead of stopping. however the
train
CONTINUED TO APPROACH
with increasing speed. Realizing that
something was wrong. the frightened
workmen and the crew of the work
train deserted the train and waited for
la
man and Brakemen Edwards and Lay
bourn jumped from the freight some
distance up the track but Engineer
Smith remained at his post almost un-
til the moment of the collision. Then
he sprang from the cab just before the
engine was overturned
The work train was completely tele-
sCoped and driven back against the
supports of the great iron bridge with
a terrific crash. For a moment the
bridge tremhled, and then there was
a second crash as the structure yielded
to the shock. The debris of the bridge
came down to. add to the piled up mass
of wrecked fat ears in the yards The
freight engine was converted into Scrap
iron, and the switch engine was de-
rallied
T. II. Line. in charge of the inter-
locking switch device in the yards i'm
mediately notified Supt. Fowler of the
disaster and a WTeCking train was
made up and arrived on the scene with
In an hour, in charge of Foreman Smith
and Engineer Smage.
The work of clearing the tracks was
begun at once and a force Of men were
started building a spur tack under the
Month end Of tho bridge which stul
stood 10 accommodate traffic 1t was
completed late in the afternoon, aud in
the meantime other arrangements were
made for handling trains Another
sang was set nj work lacking UP the
collapsed bridge ami pa ting in temp7r-
airy wooden bents in place Of the ou.s
knocked cut
During the afternoon the city en-
EiLeer ives notified that the railroad
company Woold have the
BRIDGE TEMPORARILY OPEN
by ter CHI
General SupeTinttnd- mt Clark. of The
81. Iaul d Duluth was among tho
party Of officials who visited the scene
Of the wreck during The dav and ma lie
thorough investigation irtc the caus
of the disaster. Engineer Smith. Con.
dUc;or Hitter and the brakemen were