The daily sentinel., 1899-12-27
HORRIBLE ACCIDENT
Engine No. 51s Explodes and
Engineer Quackenbush and
Fireman Sallien Killed
Both Residents of
Grand Junction

At o'clock this morning, just az en-
gins No. 51s Of the Rio Grande system
entered the yards at MinturI, it ex-
plodsd, killing Engineer s h. Quacken-
bush and fatally injuring Fireman Irwin
Sellien, 30 that he died while being
taken to the hospital at Salida.
Engine No. 515 left this city last night
at 1901 o'clock, pulling the fast eastern
express. At the time of leaving every
thing was we'll, so far as could bs ascer-
tanned by those having ths engines in
charge before leaving on run. When
the engine reached the Minturn yards
and had come to stop, without any
warning whatever, it blew up instantly
killing Engineer Quackenbush and fat
ally ipjuring Fireman Sallien.
The bsdy of Engineer Quackenbush
was brobght to this city on No. 3 and is
now at the undertaking establishments
Of Fl. G. Bucklin.
The iujn foi im Of Fireman Sellien
was placed on the train and taken to-
ward Salida to the hospital, but at Tenn
essee Pass he died. the shock OF the i'm
pact OF the engine blowing up being 80
great that, he could not possibly survive
tho injuries he received.
1t is said the body of Sellien was
blown considerable distance from the
engine and was badly cut up. Engin-
Ger Quackenbusn did not have many bad
scars on his face or his body, but seem
ed to be burned considerably.
The deceased engineer was promi-
nent Mason and knight Tsmplar. He
was member of lodge 10 San Fran
cisco. He was Of genial temperament
and had many friends among tho rail
way employees and citizens. Hs was
married and leaves a wife.
Fireman Sellien has resided for quite
long time in this city. He was bach
eler al Of quite retiring disposition.
He was frugal and saving Of his money.
and had amassed quite a considerable
property. He owns three houses in this
city and also several in Minturn and was
about to build more. He monthly de-
posted bis earnings in the Mesa county
bank and has now money on deposit
there.
AZ far as can be ancertained he has no
near relatives residing in this vicinity.
Many OF the railroad men say that his
mother resided in Salida about two
years ago. But Of this fact there can be
no positive information obtained. He
recently joined the Brotherhood Of Lo-
connective Firemsn and it ia said that he
took the insurance in tho name Of a sis
ter. He was of Swedish birth and a
man of such reticisnt disposition that
| little is known OF his affairs.
This afternoon q telegram came from
the lodge of Odd Fellows st Salida Of
connected with the local organization in
this city, asking what disposition should
be made Of the remains. He was man
| Of unbemished character and there are
many regrets at his timely death.
Until an official investigation can be
made inquiring into the cause OF tho ac-
cident, no positive cause Of the terrible
affair can be stated positively, and then
it may only be conjecture. There are
as 10 the case of every accident a hun
dred theories of the cause. Some say it
was caused by not having enough water;
others because tho water in the boiler
foamed and the glass did not toll the
true condition of the water and still
others state that the injector may have
failed to work or was frozen.
The last place where watsr was taken
was at Eagle which is twenty miles from
the end OF the run.
The deepest sympathy is expressed
throughout tho city for the dead sngin-
sineer and fireman. Both men were
well liked and were considered compe-
tent in their work.